Vol. 448 No. 3
195 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he intends to establish a Land Use Authority or Agency to implement land use policy in view of commitments given in the Programme for a Government of Renewal; if he intends to give powers of acquisition and distribution and compulsory powers to implement policy objectives to any such body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1898/95]
The Government is committed to the drawing up of a National Land Use Policy Plan to provide guidelines for both national policy decisions and planning authorities in relation to the location of agricultural, industrial, forestry, aquaculture and tourism developments. Overall responsibility for the drawing up of the plan is a matter for the Minister for the Environment. Within my Department, land policy is the responsibility of the Minister of State, who will ensure that the interests of the agriculture, food and forestry sectors are taken into account in the development of the plan.
Powers of acquisition and distribution of land are currently vested in the Irish Land Commission, the dissolution of which was provided for in the Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Act, 1992. I have no plans to establish another body with similar powers.
