asked the Minister for Lands whether he will consider a reduction of the charges imposed by the Land Commission in respect of the lease of land to small tenant farmers for tillage purposes, as the present charges are considered excessive.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Charges for Leasing of Land.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given to his question of 9th November last relative to this matter, in which I explained that rents received from lettings of lands in the hands of the Land Commission pending division are utilised as a set-off against liabilities in respect of the land. Lettings are usually made by public auction, except in cases where it is advisable to let them to local small-holders, and the biddings should represent the market value of the lettings. The conacre values vary so widely according to the quantity and situation of the land that any fixed standard of rent would be impracticable. The rents charged are not considered by the Land Commission to be excessive.