asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will state whether his attention has been drawn to the amount of land purchase annuities and local rates outstanding to date in County Clare, and whether his Department has caused any inquiry to be made into the economic conditions of agriculture in the county.

There are considerable arrears of land purchase annuities in Co. Clare and I am generally aware of the economic conditions in Clare as in other counties.

The Minister has not answered the latter part of the question, as to inquiry into the economic conditions of Clare.

I have answered that. I am generally aware of the economic conditions in Clare, as I am aware of the economic conditions in other counties. There are agricultural instructors there and officers of the Land Commission. Any information I would have would be through them.