asked the Minister for Lands whether he intends to introduce legislation to curb the purchase of land and property by non-nationals in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Land by Non-Nationals.
56.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to rural land and property.
The Land Act, 1965, initiated a system of direct control by the Land Commission over the purchase of rural land by non-qualified persons, of whom non-citizens are the principal category.
The position generally under the Land Act, 1965, is that no interest in non-urban land can vest in a person who does not come within the categories of "qualified person" defined in section 45 (1) of the Act except with the written consent of the Land Commission.
Each application for consent under section 45 is considered on its merits but, on the whole, the general guideline in force, in so far as non-citizens are concerned, is that permission will not be granted to them to purchase land in order to engage in those forms of production commonly practised by Irish farmers.
In the year ended 31st March, 1971, —apart from transactions (a) arising solely from mortgage interests, (b) involving areas not exceeding five acres and (c) representing transfers between one non-citizen (individual or company) and another—the total acreage in respect of which the consent of the Land Commission was given to the vesting of interests in land in non-qualified persons was 3,045 acres.
A substantial portion of this acreage consisted of the types of property which could hold no attraction for the ordinary Irish purchaser.
Is it not a fact that it is possible to find a way around the Act through the manipulation of shares and that this means is being availed of?
I am not aware that this is so.
I have raised this matter with the Minister's Department and there appears to be no way around it.
Is the Minister aware that non-nationals are having no difficulty at all in purchasing large acreages of land in this country regardless of the legislation which has been introduced?
I am not so aware.
Does the Minister envisage any change when we enter the EEC?
This is a different question. If any Deputy has concrete information on the present situation I would be glad to have it.
The Minister is aware of the purchase of land by non-nationals and of the fact that concrete evidence which would stand up in court cannot be provided and that these people are carrying out these purchases successfully and can get around the legislation. Will the Minister investigate this?
I will, indeed.
Question 57 postponed.