(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Agriculture the steps he intends taking to ensure that the ownership and the management of our agricultural land will be in the hands of those best fitted to work it in view of the fact that the Land Commission are about to be abolished; and how the Government will achieve these aims to increase the rate of land mobility as outlined in Building on Reality 1985-1987.

I am of the view that medium and long term leasing is one of the most effective means of increasing the rate of land mobility. The promotion of leasing will continue to be a central feature of my Department's land policy.

The group purchase scheme which has been in operation since 1983 is also proving effective and I am examining partnership arrangements and phased transfers of management to see where these could prove helpful.

Other initiatives under consideration include the control of the purchase of agricultural land so that the smaller farmer and the qualified landless person will have an opportunity to compete on the open market, and the need to ensure that owners whose lands are underutilised bring them to a required level of production.

(Limerick West): The Minister has done nothing positive to promote what I have outlined in addition to land leasing and the group purchase scheme which are not new but were always part of Land Commission policy. In the absence of a positive and progressive farmer retirement scheme surely the possibility of lands being passed from people who are not using their land to landless young men is almost nil?

I do not accept the Deputy's suggestion that land leasing and the group purchase scheme were always part of the Land Commission policy.

(Limerick West): Of course they were.

It is a pity we did not have them 15 years ago and we would have a different land structure now.

Question No. 16.

(Limerick West): We cannot move away.

There are plenty of platforms these days from which to make speeches.

(Limerick West): I asked the Minister a specific question. In the absence of positive policies such as a proper retirement scheme and a proper social welfare structure would the Minister not agree that the possibility of transferring land to landless, well trained young men is practically nil because the incentive is not there?

The entire thrust of what I am doing for the past two years should suitably show——

(Limerick West): Nothing.

——a remarkable achievement along those lines.

Question No. 16, Deputy Hugh Byrne.

16.

asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of acres of land the Land Commission now have in their possession; the amount of this land that is rented; how and when it is proposed to distribute such land to smallholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Land Commission have at present about 13,000 hectares. About 5,000 hectares are in the course of allotment in the normal way. The balance is let and arrangements are being made to have it, too, disposed of at the earliest possible date.

What does the Minister mean by the earliest possible date? May I have a more definite date?

As I indicated a few minutes ago, it depends on when the Bill to abolish the Land Commission is introduced in the House. I cannot prejudge what will happen. Quite an amount of land is being allocated at the moment.

If there is a delay in introducing the legislation could some of this land be leased? The Minister said last year that the Land Commission would have a major role in the development of land leasing. Who will take on that role in the future?

It will always be part of the function of the Department of Agriculture to promote land leasing. It is my intention that that will continue.

17.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he agrees that the Irish Land Commission brought numerous farms to viability, protecting valued employment; and the proposals he has to ensure that large estates will not fall into the hands of speculators or ranchers now that he has abolished the Irish Land Commission.

I would accept that in many cases the outcome of Land Commission activity has been as stated by the Deputy.

In relation to the second part of the question I would refer to the controls exercised under section 45 of the Land Act, 1965. The recently introduced group purchase scheme has also been operating successfully. In addition, measures are at present under consideration to control the purchase of agricultural land so that the smaller farmer and the qualified landless person will have a better opportunity to compete on the open market.

What proposals has the Minister to ensure that land does not fall into the hands of speculators or very big farmers?

I cannot prejudge a Government decision on that.

Would the Minister agree that he has no such proposals? Such activities have gone on for two years now.

I want to make it clear that what the Deputy said is not correct.

Can the Minister explain how it is not correct?

This is not a court for cross-examination.

(Limerick West): Is the Minister stating specifically that, as of now, there are no safeguards to ensure that this does not happen? Yes or no?

Having spent a lifetime dealing with land problems, the Deputy is well aware that there is no black and white issue. There is control in relation to non-nationalists. I have said that a thousand times in the past two years. I will say it again. It is still there and the subdivision is still there.

Where is the evidence?

asked the Minister for Agriculture the number of estates in which the Irish Land Commission became involved in procedures to acquire since 1982 and then withdrew because of lack of finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

In the light of the Government decision to abolish the Land Commission it was decided, with the owner's consent, to withdraw from cases where acquisition proceedings had not been completed. In nine of these cases proceedings were commenced after 1 January 1982.

In how many cases were proceedings withdrawn?

In reply to the question the Deputy asked I said that in nine of these cases proceedings were commenced after 1 January 1982.