asked the Minister for Lands whether any of the lands of the Charteris Estate, Cahir, Co. Tipperary, have been sold by the Land Commission; if so, when they were sold and to whom, and to what use the land sold in this way will be put.

I presume the Deputy is referring to portions of the estate disposed of otherwise than by way of allotment in the ordinary way for agricultural purposes. The following such disposals have been made or approved:

(1) The mansion house, with 137 acres of accommodation land, was sold by auction in September, 1962;

(2) An area of 138 acres was transferred to Forestry Division for afforestation purposes in March, 1963;

(3) A four acre field has recently been sold to the local soccer club;

(4) Two other sales have been approved but not yet finalised, namely, six acres to the Cahir GAA Club and 61 acres to the Cahir Golf Club.

Does the Minister not agree that the sale of such a sizable portion of this estate to outsiders has been a great injustice to the many smallholders in the area who are looking for the division of the estate in the hope of getting an economic holding? Does he not think, particularly when those people who wish to have the golf course, had at their disposal alternative means, that it was particularly unfair to give away such an important slice of this estate for a golf course to the detriment of the congested farmers in the area?

I am assured that all eligible congestion in this area has been, or will be, dealt with. I understand that the local development association and all the people in the town are most anxious that this golf course would be made available to the town and if it were made available, it would add considerably to the tourist influx to the area. The details about the golf course have not yet been agreed but I am assured that all eligible congestion in the area has been dealt with or will be dealt with.

I sincerely hope that the Minister's statement that congestion in this area is now being relieved is correct. I should think that before a golf course is provided, the position of small congested farmers in the area should be relieved.

I would agree with the Deputy on that.

28.

asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that the Darcy Estate, Ballymalone, County Tipperary has been recently purchased by a large landowner; and if, in view of the urgent need of many smallholders in the area for more land, he will now arrange that the Land Commission take over this estate.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a previous question on 12th of last month. The Land Commission have no precise details of the proposed purchaser but they are having inquiries made generally in the matter. Until these are completed, it is not possible to forecast the outcome.

Would the Minister take into consideration that in this particular area around Ballymalone, there is a vast amount of congestion amongst smallholders? Would the Minister ask the Land Commission to reconsider their decision in regard to this particular farm?

I can inform the Deputy that the Land Commission are making inquiries and they are no doubt aware of the congestion to which the Deputy has referred.