I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together.
The information requested by Deputy Timmons related to the price for serviced and unserviced land in each area where land was acquired and would cover land acquired compulsorily or by agreement. This information is not available in my Department in the form requested by the Deputy. Neither is information available as to average prices paid for land in each of the past five years as requested in Question No. 29. The reason is that since 1965 housing authorities have been authorised to acquire individual sites for housing purposes by agreement without my sanction. I also leave the detailed management of local housing programmes to the housing authorities.
The only information available to me relates to land in respect of which returns were furnished to me by the corporation as having been acquired by agreement for housing purposes. The average price per acre for this land as calculated from those returns was £1,482 in 1967, £1,312 in 1968 and £1,359 in 1969, up to 31st October. Figures for the years 1965 and 1966 are not available.