Vol. 244 No. 8
asked the Minister for Lands if there has been any change in Government policy in relation to the working of the Land Commission and the Department of Lands, having regard to recent statements by him; if so, when the Government decided on such change; and, if not, when a Government decision is likely on this matter.
64.
asked the Minister for Lands what priority in Government policy is given to the scheme of part-time farming in conjunction with local industrial employment, recently adverted to in a statement by him.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.
The whole question of the future policy of the Land Commission and land policy in general is under active consideration by the Government at present and, pending a decision, it would be premature to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, no major change has been made in the policy of the Land Commission or the Forestry Division.
Does the Minister agree that on the basis of traditional policies involving a measure of structural reform it would require a trebling of industrial employment in the next ten years to maintain total employment? Would he say what further increase in industrial employment would be required if jobs had to be provided not only for those leaving the land but also for those remaining on the land?
Possibly the question would be better addressed to the Minister for Industry and Commerce in this respect. I am not fully aware of the necessity for the three-fold increase in industrial employment annually.
Over a ten year period?
The Deputy did not say that in his supplementary question.
I think I did.
I do not think Deputy FitzGerald understands the Land Commission's functions.
I trust nothing in my supplementary suggests that.
