asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement clarifying Government policy on the purchase by non-nationals of property, including agricultural land, areas of scenic beauty, and fishing and shooting rights in the country.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Property by Non-Nationals.
Under section 3 (1) of the Aliens Act, 1935, real and personal property in Ireland may be acquired by an alien in the same way as such property may be acquired by a citizen of Ireland.
That provision is in accord with the almost universally accepted practice of modern States. A law allowing our citizens to transfer their property to other citizens only would constitute a limitation of the rights of private property enjoyed by our own citizens at home and might result in the imposition of corresponding restrictions on the acquisition by our citizens of property abroad—international rights of this kind being normally established on a basis of reciprocity.
As has been pointed out before, many of the properties that have been acquired by aliens in recent years are expensive residential holdings for which there is a very limited native demand.
There is also the consideration that, having regard to the desirability of attracting foreign capital to this country, it would be unrealistic to adopt a restrictive policy in relation to the acquisition of property by non-nationals.
Furthermore, when considering the question of the acquisition of property here by aliens, the existence of what might be termed the reverse movement, namely, the acquisition by citizens of Ireland of property formerly owned by aliens, should not be overlooked.
It is not suggested that circumstances might not arise in which some restriction on the exercise of the right —as distinct from the abolition of the right itself—of aliens to acquire property here might not be necessary. Indeed, in the case of property to which the Land Acts apply, under the existing law the sale of land to a new owner in no way impairs the Land Commission's power to acquire such land for the relief of congestion, should such a course prove necessary, and the special 25 per cent. stamp duty payable on transfers of property to non-nationals still applies to agricultural land. And, as regards places of scenic beauty or other tourist interest, as the Minister for Industry and Commerce intimated in reply to a question in this House on the 4th July last, consideration is being given to the desirability of seeking powers to prevent the undesirable exploitation of properties or the interference with amenities contrary to the public interest.
The first supplementary question I should like to ask, with your permission, Sir, is in connection with the latter part of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply: Is he aware that the Minister for Industry and Commerce gave an undertaking in this House, in reply to a question, that he was having examined, for the purpose of having a section brought into the next Tourist Bill, the position with regard to the purchase of areas of scenic beauty by non-nationals and, in view of the Minister's reply, would he undertake to request the Minister to bring in a section to the present Tourist Bill to cover that, which he has so far neglected to do?
Further, may I ask the Taoiseach does he not agree that a serious situation has now arisen as a result of the large-scale acquisition of property, especially agricultural property, and shooting and fishing rights by non-nationals, while at the same time there has been a minimum of investment by desirable non-nationals in industrial development, which is so ardently desired and which is so necessary? Is he aware that the emphasis is on the purchase of the property of Ireland rather than on investment in industrial expansion in the country, and does he not consider it desirable in the interests of the Irish citizens who have to flee this country, especially the congested areas, that protection should be afforded to them by preventing non-nationals from acquiring agricultural land which could be used for resettlement of thousands of Irish smallholders?
I have tried to get information which would give us an idea of the extent to which what Deputy McQuillan alleges is taking place is, in fact, taking place. I have not been able to get reliable information. Any information that has been given has been to the effect that the extent to which it is taking place is altogether exaggerated and there have been exaggerated statements such as those just made by Deputy McQuillan.
Surely the Taoiseach will agree that it is a problem, in view of the fact that the Minister for Industry and Commerce admitted that he intends to bring in legislation in order to protect certain parts of our property as a result of so much being purchased by non-nationals? There must be some problem then.
I am afraid I answered the second part of the supplementary question, rather than the first part. As far as the first part is concerned, I will have a talk with the Minister about the situation.