asked the Minister for Agriculture the name and extent of each commonage in County Mayo; the proportion of all land in the county held in commonage; the commonages divided during 1979 and those expected to be divided in 1980.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Commonages.
The name and extent of each individual commonage in County Mayo is not available within my Department. It has been estimated, however, that some 110,000 hectares are held in common ownership in the county, of which possibly 28,000 hectares have potential for intensive agricultural development.
Particulars of commonages divided by the Land Commission in County Mayo in 1979 are set out in a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
Because commonage division depends to a great degree on the co-operation of the shareholders involved, it is not possible to state categorically what cases can be dealt with in 1980. However, particulars of cases which are at present being considered with a view to early division are also set out in the statement.
Following is the statement:
Commonages divided by the Land Commission in County Mayo in 1979
Townland |
Area (hectares) |
Drum |
248 |
Toorard |
51 |
Cappanacreha |
591 |
Knocknagraffy |
4 |
Feenure |
14 |
Kinnadoohy |
33 |
Lisduff |
4 |
Commonages in County Mayo at present being considered with a view to early division
Townland |
Area (hectares) |
Knocknalina |
36 |
Barnacuillew |
73 |
Tallagh |
25 |
Ballykinava |
19 |
Glinsk |
51 |
Blenbeg |
82 |
Toberooaun |
35 |
Ramolin |
18 |
Can the Minister of State tell me the amount of money allocated to commonage division in the country as a whole for this year? Has he any proposals to amend the existing legislation under which individual shareholders in commonages can disrupt the potential division of commonages? Are there any proposals to offset delays?
I cannot give the information asked for by the Deputy—I have not got it here—about the amount of money allocated for the whole country. If he puts down a separate question I am sure I will be able to get the information for him. With regard to the question of individuals holding up schemes, I do not think there is anything we can do about that unless we change the existing legislation which might be a very long, drawn-out job. The essence of success is co-operation by all parties concerned. This is what we must encourage.