I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 15, 17, 30, 43, 50, 60, 66, 67, 70 and 76 together.
The Land Commission has been in existence for more than 100 years and its powers and functions are enshrined in a vast body of law dating back to 1881. In view of the complex nature of the issues involved in the winding up of such a body I do not accept that the delay in commencing the dissolution Act has been excessive.
Indeed, I should like to remind Deputies that when the Oireachtas enacted the Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Act, 1992 it recognised that the proper winding up of the commission would require a degree of careful organisation which should not be pre-empted by an externally imposed date and it consequently provided me with the power to appoint a date for commencement of the Act.
Deputies will be aware that, in addition to abolishing the offices of lay and judicial commissioners, the dissolution Act provides for the transfer to me of the continuing powers and functions of the commission. These include certain judicial powers and certain excepted functions which were previously reserved to the lay commissioners. Arrangements for the exercise and performance of these powers and functions within my Department are at an advanced stage and I hope to be in a position to sign the commencement order in the near future.