asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that local authorities compulsorily acquired some years ago portion of a large number of agricultural holdings, which are held from the Land Commission, and that the former owners have not got any reduction in their annuities in respect of the land so acquired; and, further, if he will state whether the Land Commission will credit tenant-owners with the portion of the annuities due on the lands referred to in respect of the period, from the date of entry by the local authority to the time when the Land Commission will have decided on the revised annuity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Lands.
I am aware that local authorities acquire building sites all over the country, a large proportion of which are portions of holdings held by tenants from the Land Commission, When sub-division has been granted and title cleared, the annuity is always apportioned by the Land Commission, but this cannot be done until the local authority furnishes particulars of each case. If in the meantime a tenant purchaser pays the annuity on the land acquired by the local authority, it is open to him to apply to that authority for recoupment dating back to the date on which he surrendered possession of the acquired portion. The adjustment of liability for the payment of annuity as from the date on which a site is acquired is a matter for arrangement between the former owner and the local authority.
May I ask the Minister is it necessary that an application should be made for recoupment?
Yes, I think so. The position is that the county council usually take over a particular plot of land which is portion of a man's holding and from the date on which that portion is acquired the former owner should not be liable to an annuity. If he pays it in the meantime, it should be a matter of easy adjustment between him and the acquiring authority.
If the former owner applies to the Land Commission for recoupment, will he get it?
Not from the Land Commission—from the local authority, the acquiring authority.