asked the Minister for Lands if he will introduce proposals for legislation providing that the Land Commission shall not compulsorily acquire for redistribution any farm which is being worked by the owner according to the rules of good husbandry and for which there are no arrears of land annuities due.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Well-run Farms
Legislation on the lines suggested is neither desirable nor necessary. The present law appears to work satisfactorily. The Land Commission invariably take into consideration the manner in which lands they propose to acquire are being worked. The House has been assured on a number of occasions that owners of lands which were being worked in accordance with the methods of good husbandry and in the best interests of food production and local employment had full security of tenure. That assurance has not been dishonoured.
Are we to understand from the Minister that if a farm is satisfactorily worked, produces the maximum amount of food, employs labour, and the farmer pays his annuities he will not be interfered with by the Land Commission?
Such has been the practice of the Land Commission and such is the practice of the Land Commission. I will take advantage of this supplementary question to disabuse people's minds of a somewhat erroneous impression that seems to be gaining ground outside. There is more derelict land in the country than the finances of the country could purchase for a long time to come; in other words, there is more derelict land in the country than we could conveniently purchase in any one year. The possibility, therefore, of the Land Commission acquiring land in such a way as to cause hardship on the owners does not arise and cannot arise for many years to come.
Arising out of the Minister's further reply, what possible objection is there to giving statutory effect to the Minister's assurance that land which is properly worked will not be acquired?
Such legislation is not necessary. I would like to know from any Deputy in this House if the Land Commission has exceeded their statutory powers and if they have caused hardship in any particular case. I would like that brought to my notice, because there is an implication in the question that such has happened. I am not personally aware that it has happened.
What objection can the Minister have to giving statutory effect to that assurance?
Have I not told the Deputy that it is not necessary or desirable?