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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 31 Jan 1952

Vol. 129 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Division of Untenanted Lands.

asked the Minister for Lands if it is still the policy of this Government and the Land Commission to speed up the division of untenanted lands for the purpose of relieving congestion and increasing production and whether the machinery of the 1950 Act is being used to its full extent for this purpose and, further, if he is aware that many holdings situated in midland counties and suitable for the relief of local congestion are being purchased by speculators including non-nationals and if he proposes to take any further action in the matter.

It is the policy of the Government to expedite the relief of congestion and the Land Commission are utilising all practical means at their disposal to secure land for that purpose. The Land Commission have no power or intention to prevent private sales of land whether to nationals or non-nationals. The sale of land to a new owner in no way impairs the Land Commission's power to acquire such land for the relief of congestion, should such course prove necessary. As I informed the House on 11th July last: "There is a pretence the Land Commission has some special function in regard to that matter. As far as the nationality of owners of land is concerned, or their citizenship, the Land Commission has precisely the same rights and can acquire their lands if they are necessary for the relief of congestion and provided the other conditions are fulfilled."

Is the Minister aware that since he went into the Department, there appears to be a delivberate policy of go slow and reversal of decisions taken by his predecessor? Is the Minister conscious of that?

The Deputy may be conscious, but he ought to supply us with some evidence. The Deputy indulges in these rather wild statements presumably for the benefit of the local Press in his constituency. He has not called my attention to these matters, and, as he has failed to do so, I do not feel that I have any responsibility in the matter.

Is the Minister aware that I have done so and that I can produce copies of the letters and his replies?

The very occupant of the office is evidence of it.

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