asked the Minister for Lands if he will make a statement on the current position in regard to proposals that a communal farm be established at Grennanstown, Athboy, County Meath.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Communal Farm.
13.
The Land Commission have had preliminary discussions with four applicants whom they have selected to participate in this project. Dwellinghouses have already been erected on the lands and it is expected that the necessary out-offices will be completed during the next six months. It is intended that the four families will go into possession of the lands, comprising 236 acres, next spring.
Could the Minister say why the dwelling houses were erected prior to getting full agreement? I do not say agreement will not emerge but why erect the dwelling houses first and then begin talking to the applicants? Would it not be considered that the siting of the dwelling houses in relation to each other should first be sorted out in consultation with the people who were to be put on the farms and that the houses should not be erected before they had any say in it? Would the Minister say if he has had any recent consultations with the county committee of agriculture about this scheme?
I do not know if there has been any consultation with the county committee of agriculture. I have no information with regard to that. As regards the other matter, I think that in experiments of this kind one must take a decision one way or the other. This is very much an experiment. Possibly it might have been better to get the applicants first and then decide where to put the houses. Presumably, this can be done in other experimental projects of this nature.
Could the Minister say if it is one farmyard for the four farms?
Yes.
This question arose yesterday: will they be considered as one unit for purposes of, say, milk production?
Yes.
They will lose, therefore, on prices?
That is not what the Minister said yesterday.
I am not trying to catch out the Minister but I think he should clear his line with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries because this is a serious matter.
Perhaps I did not understand the Deputy properly.
Will they be treated as one production unit?
This will have to be worked out.
But if this is experimental, surely the people who are expected to take part in it should at least know the facts before they start working?
Very much so.
I agree with the Minister that this experiment should be tried but I think sufficient research has not gone into this project.
In fact, it is stated in my supplementary notes that the discussions are expected to be very complex and to go on for at least another six months and that they will deal with every aspect of the matter and how it will affect the individuals concerned.
Has the Minister any plans for doing the same thing in other parts of the country?
I should like notice of that question.