asked the Minister for Local Government what legislation is available to control the price of land such as that serviced arising out of the proposed Grand Canal project.
11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Land.
10.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will ensure that land serviced by the development of the proposed Grand Canal project will be taken over by the local authorities, after adequate compensation is given to the original owners, so that housing sites and industrial sites will be kept at a realistic price level in the interests of the community and will not be used in the interests of speculators.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
Land is not subject to existing price control legislation and its value is determined in the main by market conditions. Local authorities already have extensive powers to acquire land in advance for the various purposes for which they may use land or provide sites. The question of the further steps that might be taken by legislation or otherwise to make land speculation an unprofitable activity and to ensure that an adequate supply of building land is made available at reasonable prices for all forms of desirable development— and the role of local authorities in such a programme—are under active examination at present in my Department.