Vol. 198 No. 4
asked the Minister for Lands if he will give an outline of the efforts made by the Land Commission to acquire all or any part of the Blacke Estate at the Health, Portlaoise, County Laois; what price was offered for it by the Land Commission; the reason why compulsory acquisition proceedings were not introduced; whether the Land Commission are now satisfied that the property has been disposed of privately; if so, to whom; and, if not, if the Land Commission are still an interested party.
65.
asked the Minister for Lands if the ownership of the Heath Stud Farm, Portlaoise, County Laois, has changed recently; and if he can say if it is to be maintained as a stud farm.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.
Having regard to the provisions of the Land Acts governing the acquisition of stud farms, compulsory proceedings were not instituted in respect of this estate but protracted negotiations were undertaken by the Land Commission with a view to voluntary purchase of the property. It is not the practice to publish price details in voluntary purchase transactions.
In September last, when negotiations had reached a stage which appeared to offer prospects of success, it was learned that the property had been sold privately to two local farmers. The possibility of purchasing part of the lands from the latter was then investigated but such an arrangement did not prove feasible. My information is that the purchasers do not propose to continue working the estate as a stud farm.
Whilst the sale of land to a new owner in no way impairs the powers of the Land Commission under the Land Acts to acquire such land for relief of congestion, should such a course prove necessary, the question as to what further action can be taken by the Land Commission regarding the property referred to will necessarily depend on the user thereof.
Would the Minister bear in mind that on these estates, formerly used as stud farms, a substantial number of persons found employment, that they now have lost this employment without, I understand, any compensation whatever, that there are a considerable number of small and uneconomic holders in the area, and would the Land Commission, therefore, in the exercise of their powers under the Land Acts, take steps to ensure that these people will be given holdings on these estates so as to provide for the continuity of their employment in the areas where they were born and where no other employment whatever is offered?
I cannot see how effect could be given to the steps suggested, in view of the fact that these estates have not been acquired by the Land Commission. The Deputy will appreciate that as the law stands the Land Commission are precluded from exercising compulsory powers for the acquisition of lands which were used as stud farms. As far as those working on estates which the Land Commission take over are concerned, there are two provisions depending on the length of time those people have been employed on the estates. The Deputy suggests giving them land but he will appreciate that it is more usual in recent times to give them some form of cash compensation. In view of the fact that the Land Commission have not so far taken over these lands, I fail to see how they could meet the Deputy's suggestion.
Upwards of 20 families will be rendered hungry.
Anyway, the cash compensation the Minister talks about would be the value of only about half an acre of land.
Taking the other extreme, the individual who sells gets a present of £6,000 or £7,000.
He is not the fellow who worked on the farm.
I hope to live to see the day when the Deputy will welcome this instead of laughing at it in the House.
