asked the Minister for Lands what is the policy of the Government in regard to the purchase of large tracts of arable lands by non-nationals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Land by Non-Nationals.
45.
The general position regarding the purchase of property in this country by non-nationals was set out by the Taoiseach in reply to a previous question by the Deputy on 21st November, 1957.
As regards the purchase of land, including tracts of arable land, by non-nationals, the position is that the Land Acts make no distinction as to nationality and, for the purpose of these Acts, non-nationals are and must be on the same footing as all other landowners. As far as the Land Commission's powers of acquisition and resumption are concerned, the same considerations apply to non-nationals as in the case of native owners. If a non-national purchases land in this country and fails to use it in a manner suited to national production needs, then the existing powers of the Land Commission can be effectively used to acquire that land and to use it for land settlement purposes.
May I take it from the reply that non-nationals are on the same basis in regard to land as congests? May I take it that is what the Minister means when he says non-nationals have the right to purchase large tracts of arable land in the State, while we have so many congests in the country whose needs have not been met?
If the Deputy reads the reply given by the Taoiseach on 21st November, 1957, he will find that a reasonable and acceptable decision was made on the position and there is no need for me to repeat it here. What he said, in brief, was that there must be some reciprocity in regard to purchases by nationals and non-nationals, and he went on to say that should the amount of land purchased by non-nationals begin to constitute a problem, then there could be further examination of the matter. I have been advised over recent years that the amount of large tracts of land purchased by non-nationals has been absolutely negligible and not such as to warrant any investigation.
May I put it this way: where there is an area in which congestion obtains and a large farm in that locality is purchased by a combine of non-nationals, does the Minister consider that is just, in view of the fact that the smallholders of the locality will thereby be deprived for all time of an economic holding?
Does the Deputy not know that it does not matter who holds it? The Land Commission can take it, if they want to relieve congestion.
Can the Taoiseach tell me how it is that the Land Commission have not acquired the Rockingham estate in Boyle for the relief of congestion?
If there is congestion, the Land Commission can take it no matter who owns it.
Is it or is it not Government policy to allow large farms, especially in areas where congestion obtains, to be purchased by outsiders?
The Land Commission have power to deal with that matter, irrespective of who owns the land.
The Taoiseach should not try to push it over on the Land Commission. The policy lies in the hands of the Government.