asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he favours a reform of the existing land law so as to permit long-term leasing of land for agricultural and forestry purposes.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Law.
34.
Existing legislation allows landowners to make long-term leases of their lands with the consent of the Land Commission. I understand that such consent will be readily forthcoming provided the leasing proposals do not conflict with land settlement operations. However, it is obvious that there is a marked reluctance by landowners here to engage in long-term leasing and this attitude will have to change before leasing assumes any significance as a means of providing better land use and mobility. The Inter-Departmental Committee on Land Structure Reform are considering this problem including the incentives that might be offered to encourage leasing and I await their recommendations with interest.
Would the Minister agree that one of the reasons for the reluctance of farmers to enter into long-term leases is that there is some doubt regarding the right to recover land at the end of the lease under some tenants' rights enactments of the last century and that until this doubt is removed the reluctance will continue?
I agree that there are many doubts in this area. Perhaps the reason referred to by the Deputy relates to one area of doubt. But the slow progress of the scheme may be due also to historic reasons because Irish farmers have always favoured outright ownership rather than leasing. I would say this is the biggest factor involved.
In view of the difficulties in this area which relate mostly to the Landlord and Tenant Act, 1923, would the Minister accept that new legislation will be necessary and is there any proposal for such legislation?
We are waiting for the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Land Structure Reform. We are hoping that their final report— they have already made an interim report—will be available by the end of May. If the report shows that new legislation is necessary I expect that it will be introduced.
Is the Minister favourably or otherwise disposed to the proposal from Macra na Feirme that the Department draw up a master lease that would encourage people to enter into long-term leasing arrangements?
I would prefer to wait for the inter-departmental report before committing myself to anything.
I would seek the co-operation of Deputies and of the Minister in an effort to complete the Agriculture questions today.