Johnny Brady (Meath, Fianna Fail)

The Minister of State may remember that on the Land Bill 2004 I raised an important question on Land Commission land being handed back to county councils. He has taken on board my suggestion, which was supported by Deputy Naughten and others, that county councils would not just sell this land off on the open market to the highest bidder because it was made available for the ordinary people to feed a cow and a calf. If any change is being made in that regard or if such land is not being made available for recreation facilities for GAA clubs, soccer clubs etc., much of this land could be suitable for social housing or affordable housing, in particular, for young couples, some of whom may be returning to the country and whose families would have availed of this land in the past.

I ask that sites would be made available for such people. I hope the Minister of State will take that into consideration. He indicated to me that it would form part of the Bill, that this land could not be sold off and that such people would be facilitated if at all possible.

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