asked the Minister for Lands if he is aware of the long delay in his Department in paying for land that they have acquired; and, if so, if he will expedite such payments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment for Acquired Lands.
38.
I am not aware of any long delays at present which could be attributed to the Land Commission. In the case of lands purchased for cash, the purchase money or outstanding balance is paid over on possession of the lands being given to the Land Commission.
When replying to the debate on the Estimate for my Department last May, I dealt with the matter of streamlining procedures generally in the Land Commission with special reference to the procedure for examination of title and allocation of purchase moneys of lands acquired for land bonds: columns 2223-6 of the Official Report dated 25th May, 1966, are relevant. In outlining the various measures taken in recent times to cut out delays in this sector, I mentioned particularly the Land Purchase Acts Rules, 1964, which have considerably simplified the procedure in relation to title clearance, and sections 15 and 16 of the Land Act, 1965, which provide additional machinery for expediting the allocation of purchase moneys by the delegation of decision functions to Examiners of the Land Commission and by the authorisation to accept a shorter root of title. I am satisfied that the measures taken, coupled with the strengthening of the staff of the Examiners Branch, have led to a marked improvement in this matter, and I am confident that this improvement will be maintained provided the full co-operation of all parties concerned is forthcoming. Again, I am happy to repeat what I said in my reply to the Estimate debate, that the Irish Law Times, which is the official organ of the legal profession, appreciates the various measures taken to cut out delays and to facilitate the more expeditions closing of sales.
Perhaps the Deputy may be interested to know that the number of titles at present pending for investigation by examiners is only 13 and the documents relating to the oldest of these cases were lodged as recently as 14th of last month.
In my county, I know of two estates that have been divided and allocated by the Land Commission but the owners of which have not yet been paid. That is something that should not happen.
I am aware of a number of these cases. The question is: who is responsible for the delay? There are only 13 cases pending at the moment and the documents relating to the oldest of these cases were lodged as recently as last month.