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Dáil Éireann - Volume 39 - 16 July, 1931 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Estate. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Lands and Fisheries to state whether it is the intention of the Land Commission to acquire the lands known as Lifford, Lifford Commons, and town parks, on the Knox-Pollocks Estate, adjoining the town of Lifford, County Donegal, for distribution amongst uneconomic land holders and landless men of that district. Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy: The Land Commission do not propose to take any action at present in regard to the acquisition of the lands referred to. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney 2181 Mr. Blaney: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the question of acquiring these lands has been under consideration for the last two years? Is he also aware that portion of these [2181] lands was purchased by large farmers and businessmen living in the Six Counties? The lands are adjoining the town of Strabane. In view of the fact I have referred to will the Parliamentary Secretary consider the question of acquiring those lands for the purpose indicated in my question? Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy: I told the Deputy in June, 1929, that the Land Commission did not propose to take any action in the direction of acquiring these lands. These are accommodation lands for the town of Lifford. They are used by small farmers and labourers in the district, and if the Land Commission were to acquire them they would be inflicting a great injustice on the small farmers and the labourers who are now using them. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: Does the Parliamentary Secretary imply that he is interested in accommodating the larger farmers and the business people of Strabane? Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy: As I have indicated, the lands are used by small farmers and labourers mainly. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that they are used by large farmers and even one auctioneer in Strabane who has already purchased part of the holding? Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy: No, the lands are used by small farmers and labourers. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: I can give the Parliamentary Secretary the names of large farmers and businessmen in Strabane who actually purchased part of the holding since the Land Commission made its investigations. Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy: It may have happened since the investigation. That must be only a recent development. On the occasion of our last report the lands were used by small farmers and labourers. If the Land Commission had proceeded to acquire those lands they would certainly have deprived those small tenants of the use of the land. If there was to be an economic distribution of the land the Commission would be inflicting a hardship and an injustice on the small tenants. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney 2182 [2182] Mr. Blaney: That only applies to the portion of the land not purchased; it does not apply to the numbers of acres that have been purchased by businessmen and large farmers in the Six Counties. Do not the provisions of the Land Act of 1923 apply to the portion of land purchased by the Six Counties farmers? Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy: The Deputy is apparently confusing this matter with a totally different matter. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: I do not think so. Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy Mr. Roddy: Oh, yes, he is. Dáil Éireann 39 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. County Donegal Estate. Questions 19310716
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