asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the Government Farm, Lusk, County Dublin, is being advertised in the Press by the Commissioners of Public Works as being to Let on lease; whether this farm consists of over 160 acres; whether he is aware that there are in the neighbourhood of this farm a number of small holdings, and whether before accepting any offer of a lease he will offer the farm to the Irish Land Commission either for the enlargement of uneconomic holdings or the relief of congestion.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - GOVERNMENT FARM, LUSK.
asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the Commissioners of Public Works are advertising in the Press the letting on lease of the Government Farm at Lusk, County Dublin, that this farm is situate in close proximity to the most congested districts of County Dublin, where the people are among the most hardworking and expert intensive agriculturists in the world, and that in 1925, when these lands were offered for grazing, these congests made an offer to take the lands for tillage; whether he will consider withdrawing the advertisement in its present form and either transfer the lands to the Land Commission for sub-division among these congests or offer the lands on lease in suitable lots to the congests at an economic rent.
This land is particularly suitable for stud farm purposes, and therefore not specially suitable for division among tillage farmers. Also, there would be difficulty in disposing of it in that way owing to Article 11 of the Constitution. But any suitable offers from farmers or associations of farmers will be considered with other offers.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that if these lands were the property of a private individual the Land Commission could compel him to surrender them, and will the Parliamentary Secretary consider the desirability of setting an example to private individuals on the part of the State?
Under the State Lands Act we are empowered to grant leases only for ninety-nine years. The Land Commission has not power to acquire leases other than freehold leases.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary state whether he has power to transfer these lands for the relief of congestion, or does an external power exercise authority over them so that the Government could not interfere?
Under the State Lands Act that possibly could be amended, but I do not know that it could be amended to suit the Deputy. This farm is, as I have said, particularly suitable for stud farm purposes, and if we were to divide it and let it we would get a much less remunerative price for it than we would get if we let it as a holding.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this land has been let for grazing for some time, and that, two years ago, congests in the neighbourhood were refused when they offered a fair rent for tillage purposes? Is the Parliamentary Secretary further aware that this great site for a stud farm is let to a local man at a figure——?
I am aware that a local association of farmers, headed, I think, by the Deputy, offered £4 an acre, but that was not considered a sufficiently high price.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that they offered £4 an Irish acre and that land is being let in County Dublin at 30/- an acre? The farmers in County Dublin are not putting the valuation on land that people in the Land Commission, who know nothing about land, are putting on it.