Independent TD Michael McNamara, highlights concentration of land ownership in South Co. Tipperary.
Independent TD Mr Michael McNamara has called on Dáil Éireann to set aside time for a discussion on the purchase of vast tracts of farmland in South Tipperary by Mr John Magnier and called for measures to combat further concentration of ownership.
The Independent TD for Co. Clare has expressed his concern that the accumulation of thousands of acres of land in the Golden Vale is leading to local farmers being priced out of land, at a time when the agriculture sector is already facing excessive operating costs.
Deputy McNamara said the situation reflects the ongoing, profound changes underway in rural Ireland regarding the acquisition of prime agricultural land by trust funds and the resultant negative consequences for the agriculture sector.
Addressing the Ceann Comhairle today, Deputy McNamara asked, “Will all of South Tipperary have to be owned by one man and trust funds linked to him, before the matter is debated in this house and measures are taken to prevent that concentration of land ownership, because of the economic and social consequences of that?”
Speaking during the Order of Business in Dail Éireann, the Independent TD added, “Just because one is a large donor to the parties in government should not preclude one from examination in this house.”
Following Deputy McNamara’s request, a vote on the Order of Business for this week was held and subsequently defeated by the government parties.
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