Land Commission departmental transfer
Haughey questioned the transfer of the Land Commission to Agriculture while a committee was reviewing land policy. Clinton cited the creation of a separate Fisheries Department and said the transfer had significance; the Chair ruled the broader discussion outside the scope of the estate questions.
May I ask the Minister if this recent constitutional departmental sleight-of-hand that took place simply means that from now on we shall get the same answers about land division from the Minister for Agriculture as we used to get from somebody called the Minister for Lands, or is there any real change in the situation?
Comment on this
Yes, it is raising another matter but, if it is any advantage to the Deputy to know, I am as dissatisfied as he is and I hope there will be changes. However he is aware that there is an inter-departmental committee sitting and taking a fundamental look at the whole land policy. Until they report to me it is very difficult for me to take steps that will alter the present situation.
Comment on this
I am very glad the Minister mentioned that point because some of us are very puzzled that this high-powered committee on land policy was set up under the Taoiseach. Before it even got time to sit the whole question was taken from one Minister and given to another. Would the Minister for Agriculture explain to us what exactly is going on?
Comment on this
A decision was made to set up a Department of Fisheries, as the Deputy knows. He agrees with that decision and the country agrees with that decision.
Comment on this
I said the country agrees with that decision. Everybody agrees that we should have a separate Department of Fisheries. This was the only way it could be done and still have only fifteen ministries.
Comment on this
Would the Minister confirm that there was no significance at all in taking the Land Commission from the Minister for Lands and giving it to him except——
Comment on this
It was the recommendation of a Fianna Fáil Minister for Lands that it should go to Agriculture.
Comment on this
Would it not have been better to wait until this high-powered committee that the Minister set up made some report——