asked the Minister for Lands whether the Land Commission have made any estimate of the number of acres in each county which it is proposed to acquire for division; and, if so, whether he will state the acreage in each county.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquisition of Land for Division.
14.
It is not feasible to frame acreable acquisition estimates, by counties, as decisions arise in individual cases and generally turn on current user, production, employment etc., which can be assessed only through inspection of the particular lands.
Do I understand from that that the Land Commission have not yet made any assessment of the extent of the acquisition problem facing them and of the area in each county which it should be possible to acquire for the resettlement of uneconomic holders and landless men?
Of course, the Land Commission have assessed the congestion problem but it is a different matter altogether to try to assess what lands may become available in the different counties.
I understand the Land Commission was set up to complete land purchase in Ireland. Has anybody in mind any way in which that objective would be accomplished——
If the Deputy has given any consideration to this matter, he should know that there are approximately 65,000 congests and uneconomic tenants in the country. What the Deputy has asked me is whether an assessment has been made about the acquisition of land in different counties. Our people have still the right of free sale. There would be no point in the Land Commission making out lists of different people in each county whose lands might come into the acquisition machine.
Could the Minister give me or the House any idea as to when it is hoped to solve the problem of the 65,000 congests who are there at the moment awaiting a solution of their agrarian problems?
After the requirements of the non-nationals have been fulfilled.
The Land Commission's whole work is to solve that particular problem. I have indicated publicly and in this House that they have top priority. As land becomes available, we endeavour to try to alleviate that particular problem.
Can the Minister give any indication of how long it is likely to take? Will it go on to the end of this century?
This problem has been going on for 700 years.
Oh no, for 70 years.
I do not want this to go on for another 700 years.