I move this Estimate £200,000 required for the year ending 31st March, 1923, to defray the salaries and expenses of the Land Commission. It is simply the same as the Inland Revenue, for the discharge of the Service that is presently being administered as an Irish service, until the Land Commission is taken over. Until then we would not be able to put up an estimate in the form in which it is being put up for the other services. That is why we have only got Estimate No. 1, and Head No. 2.
DAIL IN COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ESTIMATES. - LAND COMMISSION.
Before the Estimates are passed, might I remind the Minister for Agriculture of the promise he gave in an answer with regard to the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act.
As the Deputy is aware, we have not yet taken over the Land Commission. It is not transferred, because it would not be advisable to transfer it until we settle the question as to the liability for the Land Stock issued up to date. The Deputy refers to the Sailors and Soldiers Act, under which certain lands were purchased to be divided among ex-Service men. That Act, of course, is law here at present, and will be law until it is amended. There is a temporary arrangement made regarding lands purchased under the Act. They are being set by the Land Commission in small parcels for the relief of poor people and small holders in the localities where the lands are. That arrangement must continue until some definite arrangement is made in regard to this Act, and I think there can be no definite arrangement until perhaps the new Land Bill is introduced in the Dáil. The Land Commission must come over before the 1st March.
As a matter of information I would like to ask the Minister where is the difficulty in connection with the liability for the Land Stock? Do not the annuities that we pay as rent cover our liabilities for the Land Stock, or are there any other liabilities?
No; the annuities which are paid do not cover the liabilities. In addition to the Stock advanced, for which the tenant pays the annuity, there is bonus and excess Stock, the interest of which is found from taxation. We are not admitting liability for either bonus or excess Stock, and we have got to settle the liabilities. They are not yet settled.
Is it a large amount?
About thirty-three millions.
Motion made and question put:—"That the Dáil in Committee having considered the Estimate for Land Commission in 1922-23, and having passed a Vote on Account of £150,000 for the period to the 6th December, 1922, recommend that the full Estimate of £200,000 for the financial year, 1922-23, be adopted in due course by the Oireachtas."
Agreed.