asked the Minister for Lands when it is proposed to introduce proposals for legislation to provide for the payment of a fair price for all land acquired by the Land Commission, and if it is proposed to ensure that the revised prices will apply to all land acquired since the present Government took office.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Acquired Land.
It is not possible at the moment to indicate the probable date of introduction of the proposed land Bill.
As to the second part of the question, I am not yet convinced that it would be wise to legislate retrospectively in the manner suggested by the Deputy.
Is the Minister aware that when the Land Bill of 1948 was going through the House he gave a very definite undertaking that this proposed legislation would be introduced before the Estimates?
The particular sections in which the Deputy is interested are already prepared, but there are other matters which are being included which present considerable difficulty from the point of view of drafting. All the sections regarding price are already prepared.
Is the Minister aware that, while this Bill is being considered by his Department, lands are being acquired at a price which the Minister has admitted is inadequate, and does he not regard that as an injustice to citizens of the country? I would ask him, before introducing the Bill, to put in a section making its provisions retrospective.
I would ask the Deputy to wait until the Bill is introduced.