asked the Minister for Lands if it is proposed to introduce proposals for legislation to ensure that all lands acquired by the Land Commission for redistribution shall be purchased at their full market value.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Acquired Lands.
The answer is in the negative.
Does the Minister think it unfair to acquire land compulsorily from persons in whom the land has been vested at less than its market value, while unvested land is paid for at the full market value?
I think I made my position clear in that regard in my reply to the debate on the Estimate for the Department for Lands. The Land Commissioners have authority to fix a fair price for any land they acquire or resume. While there is a certain amount of discontent at the price fixed in some cases, in many other cases there is no complaint. It is not easy to determine exactly what is a fair price.
Might I ask the Minister is it the policy of the Land Commission to acquire vested land at its market value?
The price to be paid by the Land Commission for vested or unvested land is determined by statute.