asked the Minister for Agriculture the names and addresses of all estates in the possession of the Land Commission in that part of County Leitrim that is now in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency.

Land Commission records are not compiled by reference to constituency boundaries. The particulars requested are therefore being furnished for the entire county of Leitrim. They are contained in a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

LETTABLE lands (apart from turbary and insignificant residues of partly alloted properties) in the possession of the Land Commission for division.

County Leitrim

14.

asked the Minister for Agriculture the present position regarding the acquisition of the Cosgrave estate at Cuilnagleeragh, Kilmactranny, County Sligo.

Proceedings for the compulsory acquisition of the property referred to have been held up due to a boundary difficulty which resulted from an exchange of part of the lands carried out prior to the institution of proceedings. As it now appears that the present owners of the lands involved will not take the necessary steps to regularise the matter the Land Commission are considering what alternative course is open to them to enable the proceedings to continue.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this estate has been the subject of Land Commission inquiries over many years? This estate straddles the border of two counties, Sligo and Roscommon. The owner is a very substantial farmer and there are many smallholders who have been waiting for years for the division of this estate. Would the Parliamentary Secretary ask the Land Commission to speed up the division of this estate?

I certainly will. Proceedings were instituted in this case on 3rd September, 1974, and, as I indicated in the latter part of my reply, the Land Commission are considering what alternative course is open to them to enable the proceedings to continue. That arises out of the difficulties over the boundary. The Deputy can be assured these lands will be acquired and made available to local congests.

15.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that an absentee landlord has bought an estate (details supplied) in south Sligo and that this estate would make economic holdings for adjoining farmers; and if he will state the action he intends to take in the matter.

The Land Commission have decided to carry out an inspection of the property referred to with a view to determining whether acquisition proceedings should be instituted and the requisite notice to this effect has just been served. Until such time as the inspection has been completed it is not possible to indicate what action may follow.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware this land is being bought up by an absentee landlord, together with others? He has masked a big estate in south Sligo by buying up small holdings privately, small holdings sorely needed by local congests. Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that this man should go into County Meath where land is available at £1,000 per acre instead of snapping it up in the west at £500 an acre?

The Land Commission are acquiring this land by compulsory acquisition order. Notice of inspection was served on 10th February.

Did the Parliamentary Secretary say the Land Commission were acquiring it? In his original answer he said they were only examining it.

The Land Commission are proceeding with the acquisition of the holding referred to in the question.

Is that No. 15.

That is No. 15, yes.

16.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that the Gormley estate at Doobeg, Bunninadden, County Sligo, is being bought by a landless businessman who lives about five miles away and that there are smallholders in the vicinity of the estate; and the action he intends to take in the matter.

I understand the Land Commission have recently instituted proceedings for the compulsory acquisition of the property referred to and the statutory notices have been served on the interested parties.