asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that a Land Commission inspector entered on the lands of Mr. Michael Navan at Cashel, Turlough, County Mayo (Irwin estate, collection No. I. S1/100 S. 2894), and purported to point out additions by way of parcels thereof to Mr. Navan's neighbours, and that no statutory notice has been served on Mr. Navan for the acquisition of these lands, and if he will accordingly state by virtue of what authority and upon whose instructions this inspector so acted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Mayo Lands.
The townlands of Cashel Upper and Cashel Lower on the estate of Irwin are acutely congested and held in rundale. A rearrangement scheme for these townlands is in course of preparation and it was necessary for a Land Commission inspector to enter on all the holdings involved, including the holding of Mr. Navan in the townland of Cashel Upper. Mr. Navan's holding was inspected in his presence and with his consent.
In connection with any rearrangement scheme it is, of course, essential for the inspector to put forward tentative proposals for consideration by the tenants, before a final scheme can be prepared. In any such proposal it is made clear to the parties that it is a tentative proposal only and subject to the lands becoming available and to the approval of the Land Commission.
The Land Commission have no proceedings at present for the resumption of Mr. Navan's holding and, consequently, the question of the issue of a statutory notice has not arisen.
I understood the Minister to admit that a Land Commission inspector had entered on the holding and purported to give additions in respect of a holding that has not yet been taken by the Land Commission. Is the Minister not aware that nothing is more likely to slander the title of this land than to have a Land Commission inspector going on it when, in fact, no statutory steps have been taken for its acquisition?
The Deputy's statement is not correct, that an inspector went on the land to allot it or to give the impression that he was allotting land. The Deputy must be quite well aware that, in the case of a rearrangement scheme, it is necessary for the inspector to go over practically every field and every-acre of land in the particular townland that is about to be rearranged. He has to interview the tenants and find out what exactly they will accept under a rearrangement scheme. I presume that what happened in this case was that an inspector went on the lands of this Mr. Navan, but Mr. Navan himself accompanied the inspector and it was with his consent that the inspector went on the holding. There was no question at all of allotting land in the way in which the Deputy has suggested.
Is the Minister not aware——
Question No. 12.
asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that a Land Commission inspector entered on the lands of Mrs. Nora Devancy at Cashel, Turlough, County Mayo (Irwin estate, collection No. I. 51/79: S. 1355) and purported to point out additions by way of parcels thereof to Mrs. Devaney's neighbours, and that no statutory notice has been served on Mrs. Devaney for the acquisition of these lands; and if he will accordingly state by virtue of what authority and upon whose instructions this inspector has so acted.
I understand that legal proceedings against the Land Commission are contemplated in this matter and the Deputy will appreciate that it would be undesirable for me to make any statement at the present stage.