asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the cause of the delay in providing a water supply for cattle for Mr. Maurice Boland, Bishopslane, Ballymore-Eustace, County Kildare, in accordance with the promises made to him by the Land Commission over the past three years; and when a water supply will be provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Supply for Kildare Farmer.
Efforts by the Land Commission to provide a satisfactory water supply for this allottee were not successful. A well was bored and a pump erected on his holding but, even at a depth of 200 feet, the water proved unsatisfactory due to the presence of running sand. At the moment, the question of securing an alternative water supply is under active consideration.
Is the Minister aware of the fact that this farmer surrendered a holding in Kerry and was brought to Ballymore-Eustace where he was shown an alternative holding with a hole in which there was then some water, that the water evaporated three weeks later and that he has had no satisfactory supply for his cattle for the past three and a half years? Is the Minister further aware that there is an abundance of water in a nearby lake and, seeing that the Land Commission are under an obligation to provide this man with water for his cattle, will they take some immediate steps to secure water from the lake and so redeem their promise to this man, who has been scandalously treated, mainly by the incompetence of the Land Commission in the way in which they divided this holding?
The Land Commission have had a very considerable degree of success in boring for water. I am very sorry about the delay in this case and I have asked the Land Commission to expedite the finding of an alternative source of water, or to get in touch with one of the local authorities or with the Dublin Corporation to see what can be done.
Is the Minister aware that in dividing this holding the Land Commission gave to another allottee another portion of land which, if it had been equitably divided between the person who got it and the owner of the present holding, would have provided an adequate supply of water? The Land Commission gentlemen, having divided the land incompetently, sit down in a most restful posture in Merrion Street while this man has no water for his cattle. Would the Minister take a personal interest in this — otherwise no perspiration will appear on the foreheads of those gentlemen?
The Deputy is making a speech.
I shall do all I can in the matter but I must say on behalf of the Land Commission inspectors that I do not know any of them who are restful.
I interviewed one of them recently and he did not seem to care whether or not Mr. Boland got any water.