asked the Minister for Lands if he will request the Land Commission to make it a requirement that purchasers of grazing on estates have holdings within the same distance that applies to those who qualify for divisions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grazing Purchasers.
23.
(Cavan): Current policy provides for the letting of Land Commission land by public auction. In general, this system has worked well and has given rise to relatively few complaints. However, as I indicated in my reply to a similar question by the Deputy on 26th July last I have asked the Land Commission to have another look at the system particularly in relation to the needs of smallholders. I would prefer to await the completion of this examination before commenting further on the matter.
When does the Minister expect to have a decision on this case? The Minister will realise that the letting season starts from next month.
(Cavan): I will ask the Land Commission to hurry up the report. I can guarantee the Deputy that a decision will be taken as soon as possible. As the Deputy is aware, there is for and against the proposal. Ordinarily speaking, the fairest way of selling anything is by public auction because everbody gets a fair crack of the whip. In certain cases, where, for instance, one wants to protect the people who need protection such as the smallholder, there might be a lot to be said for adopting some system other than public auction. However, then it may be said that so and so did not get a fair opportunity. The whole thing will have to be looked into to see that the fairest method is adopted.
I appreciate fully what the Minister has said but where there is only a small portion of land, frequently it is local opinion that if a person takes the land he will have a better chance of getting it eventually. This year in my constituency we had the situation where land prices went beyond——
May we have a brief supplementary from the Deputy?
In the case I have mentioned the two people concerned thought it was their only hope of eventually getting the land from the Land Commission. As the question of resetting the land will arise shortly I would ask the Minister for an early decision.
The Deputy is making a very long statement on the matter.
(Cavan): I will deal with that question when concluding my speech on my Estimate. In fairness to these people who feel impelled to pay high prices for land because they think it will qualify them for the land when it is being distributed, I would advise them that is not so. If they do not otherwise qualify for land, the mere fact that they pay large prices for the lettings will not qualify them.