Land Speculation & Property Investment in Co. Kerry, Ireland 1969

Questions over who is keeping check on the purchase of land in Kerry and how it will be developed.

The Land Act of 1965 requires that non-Irish citizens may not acquire any interest in non-urban Irish land without the consent of the Irish Land Commission. In Kerry 1,371 acres of prime tourism land is owned by 149 non-nationals.

There seems to be a communications gap between the Department of Lands and the Department of Industry and Commerce.

It does not appear that a stringent check is kept on all transactions made through Industry and Commerce.

It has not been established if hotels or chalets are being built on these pieces of land. On a piece of barren land just outside Sneem, a new motel has been built by a Dutch man who has settled in the area. Two years ago, another Dutchman built a hotel nearby on a site of 22 acres. There is still no record of the ownership in the land register. Between Kenmare and Sneem, planning permission has been granted for the construction of eleven chalets. However, no record exists in the Land Commission or Department of Industry and Commerce for permission for the sale of the land in the first place.

Engineer Tadhg O'Sullivan puts those with suitable land in touch with potential buyers from overseas. He does not like being referred to as, a speculator and sees himself as having a more advisory role in the transactions.

A government spokesman says that county councils have no say in the matter of land acquisition and it is a matter for the Land Commission.

They've no control over the acquisition of land by foreigners.

Conrad Bowersma owns a number of plots of land in the Kerry region. He pays for potential Dutch investors to come to the are in the hope of attracting further investment.

We like the people, we like the country, we like the quietness here. That is what was very attractive to us.

This episode of 'Seven Days' was broadcast on 30 September 1969. The presenter is John O'Donoghue.