asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that some occupiers of vested cottages are anxious to purchase their cottages by paying the full amount of such purchase in one payment; and if he will introduce legislation to amend the Acts so as to enable such system of purchase to be availed of if so desired by the occupiers of such cottages.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Vested Cottages.
46.
The introduction of legislation on the lines indicated by the Deputy is not at present contemplated.
Will the Minister say why it is not intended to amend the relevant legislation, in view of the fact that there are so many people, especially in Louth, who are anxious to put down the money in a lump sum and finish with the purchase of their vested cottages? What are the difficulties in the way of introducing such legislation?
While I appreciate that there are, as Deputy Coburn says, many people who would wish to see this situation come about, in which they would be enabled to pay a lump sum and purchase their cottages, I think the main reason it has not been done—and it has been considered on a number of occasions —is that if these cottages were purchased outright, the then owners would be enabled more easily to dispose of their cottages to persons other than those entitled to them.
Surely there is control over that.
It is not so clear as all that.
It is happening at the present time as I know.
Surely the Minister appreciates that he can change a statute in one respect without changing it in another.
A change in one respect would enable those things to be done much more easily—some of them are even being done at the moment.
I do not know what happens in Donegal.
I do.
Queer things happen up there.