asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of acres acquired by the Land Commission in County Kilkenny in each of the years 1977 to 1979 and in 1980 to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kilkenny Land Acquisition.
3.
The information requested is as follows: 1977—1,389 acres; 1978—705 acres; 1979—289 acres.
The Land Commission had not acquired any land in County Kilkenny up to 30 April 1980 but, at that date, proceedings were in progress for the acquisition of some 620 acres.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I should like to thank the Minister of State for giving more information than appears to have been requested. Does he agree that this shows that so far as acquisition is concerned the Land Commission have closed down?
I do not accept that. This matter was discussed at length when the Bill relating to land bonds was introduced. At that time I told the Deputy that the resources of the Land Commission were now being turned on the division of land rather than the acquisition of land.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Will not the Minister agree that a drop of 1,389 acres in 1977 to virtually nil in 1980 is a virtual close down? Further, will he not agree that it is throwing small farmers to the wolves because land that should be kept for them is being gobbled up by people who do not want it?
The acquisition of land was intended for the relief of congestion and to help the small farmers to whom the Deputy has referred. To my mind the aim of the Land Commission is to divide that land as quickly as possible. It is useless for the Land Commission to acquire land if they are going to hold it on their books for ten or 15 years, as has been happening.
(Cavan-Monaghan): The Minister knows that for many years there have been no delays of from ten to 15 years.
There were such delays in some cases.
(Cavan-Monaghan): It may have happened in some cases for some reason that had nothing to do with the activities of the Land Commission but had a lot to do with re-arrangement. The Minister should admit that the Land Commission have closed down and that the small farmers have been forgotten.