asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the absolute necessity for increased food production, he will have portion of the State lands in the possession of his Department at Kilworth, the Curragh, and other parts of the country let for the growing of wheat and other tillage purposes and thus set an example to the farming community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Lands.
Lettings of the lands administered by the Department of Defence have to be made subject to full military use, and accordingly, it would not be feasible to let large areas of them for tillage. Such lettings are arranged in so far as military requirements permit.
Is the Minister aware that there are large portions of Moore Park which are not at present being used for military purposes as well as portions of Kilworth, Ballincollig and some 1,600 acres at the Curragh? Surely we should expect that a Department of State would give good example to the farmers. Does the Minister consider that it will prove an inducement to a 40-acre farmer to till his land when, on passing through the Curragh, he sees a 1,600 acre ranch?
Mr. O'Higgins
It is a bad Government.
There are 4,000 acres of land in Kilworth 200 of which are arable. These 200 acres are intermingled with the 4,000 acres so that an endeavour to fence in the 200 acres would not only be difficult but would also prove very costly. The Curragh is administered by the Commissioners of Public Works and governed by the Curragh of Kildare Act which confers certain grazing rights on residents in the area. We can do nothing about that. The Deputy did not put down any question whatever about Moore Park.
Is the Minister aware that, in a period such as this, when we have appealed for greater food production all over the country, an example should be set by the State and that this idea of having 7,000, 8,000 and 10,000 acres of land in the hands of a State Department of which none is going to be tilled is not going to prove an inducement to farmers to till their land? I would like to give notice, a Cheann Comhairle, that I intend to raise the subject-matter of this question on the Adjournment.