asked the Taoiseach if in view of the grave dissatisfaction given by the Land Commission and the Department of Lands with regard to the acquisition and division of lands in the country, he will consider the immediate establishment of a commission to report to and advise the Government as to the best and most speedy manner in which this problem may be solved with satisfaction.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition and Division of Land.
asked the Taoiseach if he will consider transferring, if necessary by the introduction of proposals for legislation, the acquisition and division of land from the Department of Lands to the Department of Agriculture in view of the most unsatisfactory position of the Land Commission in dealing with the problem of land division.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
I would remind the Deputy that the Land Commission and the Department of Lands are discharging their functions in regard to the acquisition and division of land in accordance with the law laid down by the Oireachtas. I am not prepared to take the steps suggested by the Deputy either for the establishment of a commission or for the transfer of functions in respect of the acquisition and division of land to the Department of Agriculture.
In view of the fact that the Department of Agriculture with the Department of Social Welfare are the only two Departments of the Government that have made any definite progress and in view of the alarming discontent regarding the division of ranches, would the Taoiseach consider bringing this very important work under the Department of Agriculture so that some progress would be made?
I do not think that any progress would be made by the adoption of the Deputy's suggestion.
Could the Taoiseach say whether it is a fact that the commissioners of the Land Commission do not take the Minister in charge seriously?
It is not a fact.
That is a separate question.