asked the Minister for Agriculture if he intends to require the Land Commission to change over from division of land to long-term leasing of land.
2.
Written Answers - Land Acquisition and Division.
1.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the progress that has been made in regard to the long-term leasing of land.
3.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the encouragement or incentives he intends to give to farmers who wish to come together in co-operative farming ventures.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3 together.
Due to budgetary constraints the direct acquisition of land by the Land Commission for subsequent division, has had to be curtailed. Instead, local farmers are being encouraged to come together as a group to buy land coming on the market. Such groups will be given every assistance by the Land Commission in the subdivision of the land and in any necessary rearrangement of holdings which the group might wish to have done following the purchase.
At the same time, I am making every effort to promote the more widespread acceptance of leasing as a sound management practice. This scheme has the support of the farming organisations and is making satisfactory progress.
Master leases are available for the guidance of prospective lessors and lessees and I hope shortly to introduce legislation to repeal or amend any provision in earlier legislation which might hinder the development of leasing.