asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider introducing legislation to prohibit the letting of agricultural land under the traditional letting system for grazing and conacre, known as the 11-months system; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Question. Oral Answers. - Letting of Land.
9.
It is not my intention to introduce legislation for this purpose. Apart from the difficulty of enforcing a prohibition, the letting of land on the 11-months system can often be fully justified in certain circumstances, for example after the death of the farmer, in cases of temporary infirmity, financial difficulty and so on.
Would the Minister agree that the 11-month letting system was one of the major causes of the deterioration in the fertility of land because there was no incentive to enhance or develop the land? My information is that about 750,000 acres are let under this system at any one time.
I could not agree more with Deputy Mac Giolla regarding the fundamental aspect of 11-month conacre. It has impoverished more land than any other system. We could not possibly legislate not to allow a farmer or tenant to operate under those conditions but we are proposing to make medium and long-term leasing as attractive as possible by the introduction of legislation to the effect that the tenant will have no right on the expiry of the lease. The whole problem arose because late 18th century legislation seemed to imply that the tenant might have certain rights if the period of conacre was more than 11 months. I am addressing myself to that problem and I will have a Bill before the House in the next session to repeal or amend the old Act.
The Minister says it will be impossible to introduce legislation to prevent this letting system. The Minister has not given any indication why this cannot be done. I do not accept that he cannot do it. When he is studying the new system of medium or long-term leasing and when it becomes effective will he consider introducing legislation to outlaw the 11-month system?
The word "outlaw" could be fairly dangerous because for many practical reasons it is not possible to do it. We could try to create an environment whereby most farmers would be more inclined to rent their land on a medium to long-term basis rather than on a short-term one. Most tenants on balance, I am sure, would prefer to have long leases rather than the short-term 11-month period. It is not proposed to introduce any sort of legislation that would stop farmers renting land on the 11-month system.
(Limerick West): I accept the Minister's reply but is he aware that the proposed legislation this year to introduce a system of medium to long-term leasing would affect the 11-months system? Would it complement the existing system? In view of what the Minister stated just now, can he say what hopes he has that this proposed legislation to introduce medium to long-term leasing will be successful? I am referring to the financing of such a scheme — will it be funded by the State or by other means?
That is another question. First of all, I reiterate that all we can do in legislation is to create the environment in which farmers and tenants will find it to their advantage to participate in medium to long-term leasing. There are more than one million acres of land that we know of let under the 11-month system and there is supposed to be as much more leased under the same system or some other type of leasing that we are not aware of. The programme we are proceeding with will make long-term leasing very popular.
(Limerick West): The Minister did not say how it will be financed. He has evaded that issue. A different type of farmer, a younger man, will participate in long-term leasing arrangements. The 11-month system is availed by farmers occupying land that is already developed. Under the new system the participants will be mainly people going into farming for the first time.
We cannot have a Second Stage debate on pending legislation.
Does the Minister agree that not all land let on the 11-month system is badly managed? Does he agree that for several reasons there is a necessity for short-term leasing and, if so, will he ensure that the 11-month system will remain until such time as we have made provision for medium and longterm lettings?
(Limerick West): If ever.
All those points can be made on the legislation when it comes before the House. It will be more appropriate then.
I have given an undertaking to the House that there will not be any tampering with the 11-months system, irrespective of legislation. I believe the legislation will mean there will be a lot less land let on the 11-months system. If that is to be the case we will have done a good day's work.