asked the Minister for Lands what it is proposed to do about the 24 acres of the Smith estate, Decoy, Garlow Cross, County Meath, which have not yet been allocated.

It is presumed that the 24 acres referred to in the question is the plot refused by a local smallholder in 1966. A decision as to the ultimate disposal of the plot has not yet been taken.

In view of the fact that it was already offered to a local smallholder, it could not possibly be offered to another local in the near future. There is no point in leaving that farm on its own.

I agree there is no point in leaving it there forever. The local smallholder who refused it was offered it at a very reasonable price. If they are not prepared to help themselves, we cannot help them.

I assure the Minister there are at least 100 around it who would be glad to take it.

What was the reasonable price?

In this case and for this kind of land, £7, which the Deputy will appreciate was buying out the land and not just £7 a year.

It was reasonable.

Of course, it was reasonable.

29.

asked the Minister for Lands if the Mallow estate, the Mullagh, Kilcock, County Meath, has been taken over by the Land Commission; if so, on what date; and what is the acreage.

30.

asked the Minister for Lands if the Green estate at Gaulstown, Duleek, County Meath, has been taken over by the Land Commission; if so, on what date; and what is the acreage.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.

Possession of both of these properties has passed to the Land Commission — the Molloy estate, 377 acres, last February and the Green estate, 310 acres, yesterday.

Would the Minister say why on a list I got from his Department last week the Molloy estate was not included?

It only happened yesterday.

It was last February, according to the Minister. The other one was yesterday.

I could not tell you.