asked the Minister for Agriculture if it is intended to take over the Corcoran estate, Dromard, Moyne, County Longford for division among local smallholders and other deserving cases.
13.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Longford Estates.
12.
asked the Minister for Agriculture when it is intended to divide the O'Donohoe estate, Dromard, Moyne, County Longford.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
While possession of the O'Donohoe estate has already passed to the Land Commission, I understand that the formulation of proposals for its division has been deferred pending the outcome of proceedings which are at present in progress for the compulsory acquisition of the Corcoran estate. The intention would be to include both properties in a composite resale scheme so that a more effective improvement of small farms in the locality can be achieved. It is not possible, however, at this stage to indicate what the outcome of the proceedings for the Corcoran lands will be.
May I ask the Minister if this recent constitutional departmental sleight-of-hand that took place simply means that from now on we shall get the same answers about land division from the Minister for Agriculture as we used to get from somebody called the Minister for Lands, or is there any real change in the situation?
This is raising another matter.
Yes, it is raising another matter but, if it is any advantage to the Deputy to know, I am as dissatisfied as he is and I hope there will be changes. However he is aware that there is an inter-departmental committee sitting and taking a fundamental look at the whole land policy. Until they report to me it is very difficult for me to take steps that will alter the present situation.
I am very glad the Minister mentioned that point because some of us are very puzzled that this high-powered committee on land policy was set up under the Taoiseach. Before it even got time to sit the whole question was taken from one Minister and given to another. Would the Minister for Agriculture explain to us what exactly is going on?
I cannot allow a widening of this question.
A decision was made to set up a Department of Fisheries, as the Deputy knows. He agrees with that decision and the country agrees with that decision.
What did the Minister say about the fisheries?
I said the country agrees with that decision. Everybody agrees that we should have a separate Department of Fisheries. This was the only way it could be done and still have only fifteen ministries.
Would the Minister confirm that there was no significance at all in taking the Land Commission from the Minister for Lands and giving it to him except——
Of course, there was considerable significance.
It is quite inappropriate to discuss such a wide issue on Questions Nos. 12 and 13.
It was the recommendation of a Fianna Fáil Minister for Lands that it should go to Agriculture.
Would it not have been better to wait until this high-powered committee that the Minister set up made some report——
I have called Question No. 14.
14.
asked the Minister for Agriculture when it is intended to divide the Stephenson estate, Clonscott, Cotehill, County Longford.
Possession of the property referred to passed to the Land Commission in February, 1976. I understand it is hoped to include the lands in next year's allotment programme.