asked the Minister for Lands the amount of land in the possession of the Land Commission in County Mayo at the end of September 1966.

Apart from substantial areas of turbary and inferior quality land, the area of arable land on hands of the Land Commission in County Mayo at 30th September, 1966, was 4,700 acres, approximately.

I may say that the total area allotted in County Mayo during the last three complete financial years exceeded 14,000 acres.

May I inquire from the Minister when he is likely to proceed with the division of the further acreage to which he referred? Is there likely to be any activity in the coming year?

As much land as it is feasiable to scheme will be divided.

Is the Minister aware that some of these lands have been in the hands of the Land Commission for as long as 15 and 18 years and does he not think that is an unreasonable period?

I would, if the allegation were correct, but I do not accept it as being correct. There may be old bits and pieces of very little value; In special areas in which we have been waiting for an intake of more land, but the amount now in hands is very small. Of that I can assure the Deputy.