asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware (a) that a British Army colonel is the owner of nine separate farms, comprising almost 1,000 acres in the Counties Dublin, Meath and Westmeath; (b) that on this land, employment is given to only eight men, and (c) that this man is now about to purchase another 80 acres at Crooked Wood, County Westmeath; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps to deal with the accumulation of this large acreage of land in the hands of one individual.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Individual's Purchases of Farms.
As regards this particular case, I have no information, but I am having inquiries made, and I will convey the results to the Deputy. Even if the facts prove to be as stated, the Land Commission could not without careful consideration decide whether all or any of the lands should be acquired. After such consideration and investigation of all the facts, acquisition might prove to be impracticable or undesirable.
Some Deputies mentioned during last year's Estimate debate that chain-purchasing of farms is taking place in a few instances. I am keeping a close watch over this matter, but, so far, this trend is negligible. Any system of chain-purchasing of farms, whether by nationals or non-nationals, which would undo the work of the Land Commission or the former Congested Districts Board would be most undesirable, and I would feel compelled to ask the House for adequate powers to cope with such a problem should it become serious.
Is the Minister aware that the question refers to land in the ownership of the gentleman who was mentioned in the course of the debate on the Estimate for Lands recently, and does he not agree that when a dozen or more families could live comfortably on this one individual's surplus land and improve it genuinely as well, it is a situation about which some steps should be taken? Is he further aware that, on the whole of this land, there are 12 people employed, of whom only six are employed as agricultural workers, the others being employed in this man's residence?
As I have told the Deputy in my reply, I have no information in regard to this particular case, but I expect to have it in a short time.
It may make it easier for the Minister if I refer him to the fact that he is the gentleman who was so ably and vigorously defended by Deputy Childers in the House.
Is the Minister aware that Deputy Childers described this man as a great employer who used his land very productively and that Deputy Kennedy described him as a Cromwellian? In view of the danger of a serious split in the Fianna Fáil Party, will he take steps to have the matter remedied?