Kieran Coughlan: Is the Irish land market dysfunctional?

From a national perspective, is it desirable that any Tom, Dick or Harry can buy land and put it to whatever use they wish, or even no use at all, asks rural accountant Kieran Coughlan.

For more than 80 years, the Land Commission played a major part in breaking up large estates, redistributing land ownership, and setting up farm holdings that were viably capable.

Ireland operates a free market when it comes to land. The non-resident or the person with the most money generally comes out the winner in land sales transactions. Surely that’s a good thing? The answer isn’t quite as clear as the question.

There are benefits to a free market, such as open and transparent pricing for both buyer and seller. Sellers looking to cash in get true market value for their landholding, and those wishing to buy land have an opportunity to do so without restriction.