asked the Minister for Lands if he will state whether the Land Commission have considered the propriety of acquiring Oak Park estate, County Carlow, for the purpose of dividing it into economic holdings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Carlow Estate.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.
The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of these estates.
Have the Land Commission considered, or will they consider, the desirability of acquiring these estates, in view of the suggestion made even by Deputy Blowick that there are a large number of families in this estate at the moment on uneconomic units? Is the Minister not aware that there are over 1,000 acres of arable land in each of the demesnes I have mentioned, that is, 2,000 acres of arable land upon which 40 families could be provided for to the extent of 50 acres each? Would it not be advisable for us at this stage to make up our minds to wipe out the Land Commission in so far as the division of estates is concerned, or else divide up these big farms?
The Deputy is making a speech.
Would the Minister reply as to whether or not it is now Government policy to allow large holdings and vast estates like this to be put on the market and purchased in many cases by non-nationals, while thousands of smallholders in Ireland have either to leave the country or eke out a living on an uneconomic holding? Has Government policy arrived at the stage now that the big rancher or big farmer is to get a free hand?
The point is that there is no change in Land Commission policy with regard to large estates. The Land Commission take into consideration all the relevant facts in making decisions in these matters.
They are the slowest moving body we have.