asked the Minister for Lands if in view of the very high prices obtaining for conacre lettings in South Kildare he will give an assurance that the lands of Kilkea Castle Estate, Kilkea, County Kildare, at present in the possession of the Land Commission, will be let by public auction this year.

The Land Commission hope to get possession of this estate during the present month. The intention is to arrange for temporary lettings, by public auction, in the ordinary way.

Could the Minister say whether it is proposed to let the lands to the highest bidder or would he give consideration to the possibility of reserving some of the rental of this land for small holders and landless men who are unable to pay the high prices at which land is let in the area?

As I understand, the practice of the Land Commission in a case of this kind is to let lands by public auction. From the information before me, I do not see how this matter could be satisfactorily handled otherwise.

Except by breaking them into small lots and letting them by public auction.

Is it not possible to shield the small and uneconomic holder from competition from the larger and wealthier bidder at a public auction of this kind?

The Deputy's suggestion would entail the examination of the whole countryside to ascertain who should get preferential treatment or not. From a practical point of view, I cannot see how that could be done.

The Minister knows that people will shake the money bags and the small man will find it as difficult as before.

Will the Minister ensure that the lots are sufficiently small to come within the capacity of people of modest means?

I shall have the possibility of that suggestion examined.