asked the Minister for Lands whether he is aware that a number of farms and estates have been purchased by non-nationals who are normally resident outside the State; and whether he will take steps to prevent such purchase by the introduction of legislation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Land by Non-Nationals.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the estimated acreage of farms and estates in the State which were purchased during the past 12 months by non-nationals, the estimated total price paid for such farms or estates, and the number of such transactions which have been approved by the Land Commission.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 25 and 26 together.
In general, sales of land, not involving subdivision, are not controlled under the Land Acts. The Land Commission, therefore, are not in a position to supply the statistical information sought.
As regards Question No. 25 I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Taoiseach to a previous question on 21st November, 1957.
Is there any possible way whereby the information requested in Question No. 26 can be made available?
I have already indicated that we have no information of that kind in the Land Commission.
Does it amount to the fact that there is no check on the purchase of land by non-nationals as far as the Department of Lands is concerned?
That is the case. The Department of Lands does not control the individual sale of every single piece of land.