asked the Minister for Lands if he proposes to introduce legislation for the purpose of changing the structure and powers of the Land Commission; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Powers of Land Commission.
21.
No proposals along the lines indicated are under consideration.
May I take it from the Minister's reply that no changes are envisaged in the near future with regard to the question of the acquisition of land or that there is no contemplation on the part of the Minister of handing over the power of acquisition of land to meet congestion to any outside body other than the Land Commission?
There is no proposal of any such kind.
The Land Commission was set up not as a permanent but merely as a temporary institution.
The Minister is not to be expected to enter into that argument now.
That is a question of which one could give many definitions —the question of the amount of land that comes into the hands of the Land Commission and what it is likely to be in the course of the next year.
Would the Minister say if there is any truth in a statement that appeared in an English Sunday paper about two weeks ago dealing with proposed changes of policy in his Department? Did the Minister see the statement?
I did not see the newspaper. The best thing to do is to wait for the Estimate.
Then changes are contemplated?
Then all questions relating to any rumours appearing in newspapers can be answered.