asked the Minister for Lands the number of consents given under section 45 of the Land Act, 1965 in respect of non-qualified persons who are (a) individuals and (b) companies.
17.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Purchase Consents.
16.
asked the Minister for Lands the number of land purchase consents given under the Land Act, 1965 to non-nationals and companies.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.
In the period of about 20 months since the passing of the Land Act, 1965 —apart from transactions arising solely from mortgage interests or involving areas not exceeding 5 acres and transfers from one non-citizen (individual or company) to another— the consent of the Land Commission, pursuant to section 45 of the Act, to the vesting of interests in land in non-qualified persons has been granted to 73 individuals and 34 companies controlled by non-citizens.
Can the Minister give the acreage of land involved in the consent?
I was not asked that question. I do not know that I have the figure readily available. The Deputy will appreciate that it varies very much.
The Minister indicates a rather alarming surrender of Irish land to foreign interests. Will he give the House an assurance that a more careful watch will be kept upon the handing over of Irish land to foreign interests?
I do not accept the Deputy's suggestion. Some of these transactions are concerned with mortgages. I am satisfied that any estate of any size which is the type that would be regarded as useless for Land Commission purposes and which is generally regarded in the country as a white elephant——
I thought the Minister said he was excluding mortgages?
Excluding companies also. National companies are caught under the Land Act as well as non-national.