Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Mar 1977

Vol. 298 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Limerick Estates.

26.

Mr. G. Collins

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware of the recent sale of the Sebag Montefiori estate at Bruree, County Limerick of over 400 acres to speculative purchasers who are non-farmers and who since the purchase have already tried to sell the estate in smaller lots to other land speculators at a large profit; if he is aware of the congestion among the smallholders in the adjoining areas who would benefit considerably from the extra land if the Land Commission were to acquire this estate for subdivision; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

27.

Mr. G. Collins

asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of applications on hands at present from holders in Counties Limerick and Kerry for the exchange of holdings under the Land Commission; and if the Land Commission will consider the Sebag Montefiori estate and the Coll estate in Bruree, County Limerick for acquisition so as to meet the needs of these applicants.

Mr. Clinton

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 27 together. I understand that an application on behalf of a non-qualified person for consent, under section 45 of the Land Act, 1965, to the purchase of the Sebag Montefiori estate has been lodged in the Land Commission and is at present under consideration. All the relevant circumstances will be taken into account by the Land Commission and until a decision is made on the application it would not be appropriate for me to make a statement in the matter.

The Land Commission have compulsory proceedings for the acquisition of the Coll estate comprising some 137 acres but pending the hearing of an objection which has been lodged it is not possible to say what the outcome of the proceedings will be.

I am informed that the number of applications for migration which the Land Commission have on hands from smallholders in Counties Limerick and Kerry are 20 and four respectively. These are, of course, general applications for migration and are not necessarily related to any particular estate. The Deputy will appreciate that where the Land Commission acquire lands for division the needs of local deserving smallholders must first be taken into account before there is any question of utilising part of the lands to provide exchange holdings.

Mr. G. Collins

I thank the Minister for his reply. Could he tell the House what is meant by a "non-qualified person", in this case, the person who bought the Sebag Montefiori estate? When will the hearing to make the decision on the question of the acquisition of the Coll estate of 137 acres take place? The Minister gave figures for migratory farmers, were they 20 for Limerick and four for Kerry or vice versa?

Mr. Clinton

Yes, 20 for Limerick and four for Kerry. I cannot tell the Deputy when the actual hearing will take place nor can I tell him the various ways by which a person can be disqualified from buying land here. The position has altered considerably since we joined the EEC.

Mr. G. Collins

As the Minister used the phrase "non-qualified person" I should have thought he would know the meaning of that phrase. Are his Department aware that the non qualified person seeking permission from his Department for the purchase of this land has already sold parts of it, subject to permission, to other land speculators? Has this important factor been taken into consideration by his Department in dealing with the application of this so-called non-qualified person?

Mr. Clinton

I am sure what the Deputy said is correct but I am also sure that the Land Commission will handle this matter as effectively and as competently as they can within the law. That is what they are proceeding to do in this case and that is why it is being held up.

28.

Mr. Power

asked the Minister for Agriculture when the Land Commission proposed to divide the Wright estate, the O'Neill estate and the Geraghty estate in the Hughestown, Carrigeen areas of County Kildare.

Mr. Clinton

It is expected that the properties referred to will be allotted during the current year.

Mr. Power

Would the Minister agree that there has been a very long delay in allocating these holdings, up to ten years in some cases? Is he aware that 90 per cent of the small uneconomic holdings in Kildare are in this area?

Mr. Clinton

My information does not indicate that any of these holdings have been in the possession of the Land Commission for longer than five years. Therefore, to say that some of them were in their possession for ten years is not correct.

29.

Mr. Power

asked the Minister for Agriculture if the Land Commission will acquire the Galway estate in Davidstown, County Kildare.

Mr. Clinton

The Land Commission have no proceedings for the acquisition of the property referred to but I shall arrange to have the Deputy's representations brought to their attention.

Mr. Power

Would the Minister be so kind as to convey to the Land Commission that this very big holding, almost 700 acres, does not support one family unit?

Mr. Clinton

I will bring it to their attention.

An Ceann Comhairle

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.