asked the Minister for Agriculture why the Land Commission did not acquire the estate of John Glynn, Kilchreest, Loughrea, County Galway.

An inspection by the Land Commission last year showed that this property had been purchased by an adjoining farmer so as to improve the structure of her own fragmented holding. Accordingly the question of acquisition was not pursued.

The Land Commission are in possession of other lands in the area which will be used for the relief of local congestion.

Is the Minister aware that the other lands that have been acquired by the Land Commission and which are referred to in his reply are totally inadequate to deal with congestion in that area and that that is why it is so important that the Glynn estate be acquired?

I agree that there is considerable congestion in the area and I am satisfied that the lands in the area in the hands of the land commissioners are not sufficient to meet the requirements of the local congests.

It would be all right to allow the estate in question to be sold if the Land Commission had enough land there but that is not the case. Although the matter was reported on 4 July 1977 and an order asked for, no such order was made.

The only land that the Land Commission have in that area is the 54-acre Fanning estate.

That is totally inadequate to make any impression so far as the local congests are concerned.

36.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if the Land Commission intends to acquire the estate of representatives of Laurence Murphy, deceased, at Annagh, Ballymacward, Ballinasloe, County Galway.

I understand that the Land Commission are having inquiries made in regard to the property referred to with a view to determining whether acquisition proceedings should be instituted.

This matter was reported and an order sought in November 1977 but the order was not put on it until 11 January 1978. Can the Minister say what was the reason for the delay and why the Land Commission informed the people that no decision had been made up to March although a deputation to the Land Commission were told that a decision had been made in early January before the order was made? Is it not contrary to Land Commission policy to create a congest by selling an unviable farm to a man in a congested area?

I agree with some of the points raised by Deputy Callanan. I may not be able to give the information he seeks since it is not available to me here but I am informed that the section 40 notice was served on 11 January 1978 in respect of this holding. Inquiries are not yet complete and until such time as they are complete the Land Commission cannot say whether they will be proceeding with the acquisition.

Is it not the position that the investigations are complete so far as the buyer is concerned?

Yes, and I understand that the Land Commission have not yet investigated the local congests.

They have been out there for two months.

Therefore, they would not appear to be doing too well.