asked the Minister for Agriculture if the Land Commission intend to acquire the O'Moore estate at Clownings, Newbridge, County Kildare; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Acquisition.
8.
An application by a company for consent to purchase the property referred to was recently refused by the Land Commission. In the light of the position in regard to congestion in the area, the initiation of compulsory acquisition proceedings would not be warranted.
Is the Minister aware that there are 22 uneconomic holders surrounding this estate and that they have sufficient money between them to put down half the price of the land, that is, half what it was purchased for, and they have made that offer to his Department? Does that not make it an attractive proposition for the Department to step in and acquire this estate on their behalf? As I understand it—perhaps I am not correct—the Department said that they will not allow the transfer of this property to that company because they are speculators. Having stopped the transfer, would it not be logical for the Department in the circumstances, where half the money is available, to step in and purchase it on behalf of the company?
I am not satisfied that it would be a good thing for the Land Commission to acquire this land compulsorily because it would have to be acquired at a price which would mean an annual rental on the prospective allottees of between £300 and £400, before it would be subsidised. If it were subsidised, it would have to be at a level which would make it uneconomic for the Land Commission against the general background of land acquisition and allotments. What I am saying is that the Land Commission as a distributor of land could get better value in other estates. It is not an attractive proposition in the general question of settling as many people as possible on the land.
As the Deputy knows, we have under examination at present certain new proposals that would inhibit effectively the purchase of land by companies. I do not have to say that I disapprove of the acquisition of farm land by people as anonymous as companies because I have always taken the view that farm land is not a stock market commodity to be traded in; it is something from which people make their living. Since the Land Commission's primary function is to settle as many people as possible on the land, they could get better value elsewhere. That is the current position.
I accept what the Minister said, that he can get better value elsewhere, but these 22 farmers will not be eligible elsewhere because they will be too far removed from the estate he has in mind. Would he be prepared to meet this group of disgruntled, upset and dissatisfied farmers to discuss the matter with them and see whether they will appreciate what he says about it being an uneconomic proposition?
There would be no trouble about the farmers involved meeting officials in my Department, but I cannot give the Deputy an undertaking that I myself will see them. As he will recall from his own experience, there are always deputations by the score who want to see Ministers for Agriculture who, especially at this time of the year, are more than ordinarily busy.
I appreciate it is difficult to find the time but it is an extraordinary decision to stop the sale and still not acquire it.
It is a regrettable but inescapable decision.
9.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if the Land Commission will initiate proceedings to acquire the Clancy estate, Carraghy, Claregalway, County Galway; and, if not, why.
The Land Commission have no proposals for the acquisition of the property referred to but they are keeping the case under review. They are satisfied that the lands are being well worked by the present occupier.
10.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the present position regarding the acquisition of the Fallon estate at Cartranhugh, Ballintoghar, County Sligo, the reason for the delay in finalising the acquisition, and when acquisition will be finalised.
Objections to the compulsory acquisition of the property referred to were disallowed by the commissioners last May. It was then necessary to have the lands valued. This has been done and negotiations on price are now in train. It is not possible at this stage to say when the proceedings will be finalised.