Johnny Brady (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I wish to be associated with those speakers on the other side of the House in complimenting the Minister of State and his officials. Coming from a farm and a county that depended on the Land Commission, I know many small farmers in County Meath who are grateful for its work. There were also migrants from other parts of the country, particularly from the west, who were always made welcome in County Meath. Some of them became famous and we know the contribution they made to our county, even off the football field. Had it not been for the Land Commission, those people would never have ended up in County Meath.

Deputies Naughten and Upton supported me on Second and Committee Stages when I proposed that where county councils are acquiring Land Commission land, they should not be able to sell it on in the open market. That land was made available years ago for the poor people of Ireland. I do not want to see big tycoon builders and developers or large farmers acquiring this land. I am confident the Minister of State will consider this in other legislation.

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