andMr. McQuillan asked the Taoiseach if he will make available to members the statistics to which he recently referred in the Dáil which disclose the rate of acquisition of land by non-nationals over the last ten years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition by Non-Nationals.
7.
The reply which I gave to a Question on 8th February, 1961, was based on information then available to the Government regarding sales of agricultural land to non-nationals in a recent period of about 12 months.
In that reply I did not refer to statistics, either for a period of ten years or for any other period, as the Deputies have inferred.
As I indicated on that occasion, the Government are keeping the position under close attention, and it has been made clear that, if developments should threaten the public interest, by frustrating land-settlement policy or otherwise, immediate consideration would be given to the adoption of any necessary corrective measures.
May I ask the Taoiseach has he got machinery at his disposal which will give an accurate check as to the number of non-nationals who are purchasing land, and also the acreage of the land they are purchasing?
No, there are no precise statistics.
How does the Taoiseach arrive at certain figures, if he has not machinery to find out these figures?
I did not give the Dáil any figures. I said that the information available to the Government suggested a certain situation, but I did not assert there was any precise information.
As the Taoiseach has agreed there is a certain amount of public concern, will he make available to us the facts or figures which were available to him so that, just as he was satisfied, he will be able to satisfy the public?
I said that I was aware of the fact that there is public concern. That is why the Government are keeping the matter under close attention. If we decide action is called for, action will be taken, and if we decide that action is necessary, we will justify that decision to the Dáil.