asked the Minister for Lands whether he intends to introduce measures to control the purchase of farm land by people who are not themselves farmers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Farm Land.
73.
(Cavan): The situation in regard to purchase of farm land is being kept under constant review in the context of the application to this country of the directives on land structural reform issued by the EEC. As the Deputy is aware, a provision in the directive on modernisation of farms provides that priority in the allocation of land will be given to small farmers who have approved development plans. Any limitation on the right of free sale of farm land as envisaged in the Deputy's question raises many complex issues including constitutional problems.
I am aware that it does raise many difficulties but surely the Minister has some view on the general basic question as to whether it is permissible or desirable that people, who are not themselves farmers or engaged in farming, should be in a position to purchase farm land as a speculation?
(Cavan): While I have a view on this matter there are difficult problems in relation to this, as I have pointed out. First, there is the constitutional problem which arises under Article 43 of the Constitution. The Land Commission have powers to acquire land for the relief of congestion.
They are not adequate and that is the point I am making.
(Cavan): The Land Commission are keeping an eye on the purchase of large farms by people other than farmers. In many cases they serve a section 40 notice and in that way seek to control the purchase of land, which is required for the relief of congestion, by people other than farmers.
Is the Minister aware of the truth of the statement that too much land is passing out of the possession of people who depend on farming for a living and into the hands of people who use farmland as a means of speculation to increase profit or to conceal money from the Revenue Commissioners?
If the Minister has not sufficient power at present in this regard can he tell us whether he proposes to take that power in the future?
(Cavan): I consider that the Land Commission have sufficient powers to deal with land that is required for the relief of congestion. The question of prohibiting on a general scale the purchase of land by non-farmers would need additional legislation but it is probable that such legislation would be unconstitutional. I might point out to the Deputy that when the Estimate for the Department of Lands was before the House last year, this matter was raised by many Deputies and my predecessor dealt with it at some length and placed before the House the difficulties he foresaw. He undertook to bring the matter before the then Government with a view to seeing what could be done. Presumably he did that and, presumably also, the difficulties I am outlining now were apparent to the then Government and no steps were taken in the matter.
I accept that the question poses great difficulty but the basic problem remains and that is the passage of too much land from the hands of people who are farmers into the hands of speculators. Some means should be found to combat the problem.
(Cavan): I have no hesitation in saying that I would disapprove of the passing of large tracts of farmland from farmers to speculators. This problem is one that will have my consideration and the consideration of the Government.
Would the Minister agree that if the half-rent system were reintroduced this would help to solve the problems in so far as the Land Commission would be in a position to purchase this very expensive land in Meath so that speculation in land might be stopped?
That is a separate question.
(Cavan): That question does not arise from the question tabled by Deputy Gibbons.