asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware that certain persons in South Tipperary are purchasing large tracts of land from capital not derived out of agricultural activity, and are creating vast ranches, despite the efforts of the Land Commission to bring about an equal distribution of land in the constituency and thus give an opportunity to young men to earn a livelihood in their own country; and if he will, by legislation or otherwise, limit the number of acres any person can hold.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of South Tipperary Lands.
24.
If the Deputy will be good enough to furnish additional information, including particulars of the lands concerned, to enable the persons referred to in the first part of the question to be identified, I shall ask the Land Commission to have inquiries made in the matter.
The suggestion made by the Deputy in the second part of the question has been noted but, frankly, I am doubtful whether a limitation on the acreage to be held by an individual would be a practical proposition when—apart from other considerations—regard is had to the wide range of soil types and the variety of circumstances encountered in practice.
Does the Minister now realise, from the text of the question of his colleague, Deputy Davern, representing South Tipperary, the extent to which agricultural land is being acquired by foreigners?
This has no reference whatsoever to foreigners. It refers, I assume, to Irish citizens who purchase land in County Tipperary.
Could the Minister say how many of the land speculators in County Tipperary are foreigners?
I do not know what the Deputy means by land speculators. The question we are dealing with here refers to people who buy land, whose capital does not spring or derive from agriculture, and this could comprise every shopkeeper, every industrialist, every professional man in the country. Does the Deputy want all these stopped from purchasing land?
Has the Minister any information as to the extent to which such land is being bought by foreigners?
If the Deputy wants whatever information my Department have, he might be good enough to put down a question.
When—next October?