(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of notices served under section 40 of the Land Act, 1923, as amended by the Land Act, 1965, for the inspection of land with a view to acquisition during each of the six months periods ending on the 31 October 1977, 1978 and 1979 respectively.
Written Answers. - Land Acquisition.
306.
The numbers of section 40 notices issued during the period May-October of the years 1977, 1978 and 1979 were 118, 197 and 22 respectively. I may add that the approximate areas acquired by the Land Commission during the periods mentioned were 4,400 ha, 3,900 ha and 3,600 ha respectively.
307.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if the rate of land acquisition by the Land Commission is being curtailed and if his attention has been drawn to the very serious effects any curtailments would have on western farmers in particular.
As I have already indicated, I issued instructions some time ago that, pending the introduction of a new land policy, there should be increased emphasis on the distribution of lands already acquired and on finalising acquisition proceedings at present in progress. Apart from this change in emphasis, the existing land settlement policy continues to operate as heretofore.
Up to 30 September this year the Land Commission had acquired some 6,800 ha—mostly in western counties—and I expect that the total intake for the year will be close to last year's figure of 8,700 ha.
It is expected that allotments in the current year will be of the order of 12,000 ha.