asked the Minister for Lands if, with reference to the statement by the Minister for Agriculture in Dáil Éireann on 2nd December, 1954, in regard to the acreage of land in the hands of speculators, he will now state what action, if any, has been taken by the Land Commission towards the acquisition of these lands for division among deserving Irish nationals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Speculators in Land.
As the Minister for Agriculture pointed out later, in the Seanad, the speculation referred to was not unlawful and did not of itself provide the Land Commission with a reason for acquiring the land affected. The Land Commission can only deal with such cases where the circumstances generally warrant the institution of acquisition proceedings, and I can assure the Deputy that in all such cases the Land Commission take action. I would not deem it proper to name the speculators, and I must, therefore, decline to identify with such speculation any cases in which the Land Commission institute acquisition proceedings.
Is the Minister aware that his colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, stated in this House on the debate on wheat that there were up to 40,000 acres of land in the hands of speculators who are ranching it for wheat?
Mr. Lemass
That was only a personal opinion.
I agree with the Minister for Agriculture that there are speculators——
The Deputy is making a speech.
Now it is a duel. How long will it be till you come around to that view?
Would the Minister now not carry out that request to him by his colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, and acquire these lands which are in the hands of aliens and undesirables, so that the land can be utilised for nationals?
It was only an excuse to cut the farmers 12/6. That was all.
I have replied to Deputy McQuillan's question as put down on the Order Paper. What he has asked for are specific particulars of the cases that the Land Commission are engaged in with regard to these speculators. The names or addresses or particulars of the speculators I will not give.
I did not ask you.
And that is that.
Where did I ask for the names and addresses?
The Minister for Agriculture's attack was a grand excuse for cutting the farmers. That was all.