asked the Minister for Lands the area of land which is regarded as constituting an economic holding.

Whilst, for practical purposes, the Land Commission aim in non-congested areas at the creation of a unit of 33 acres of first-class land or its equivalent in larger acreage of mixed quality, for my own part I feel that, having regard to the wide range of thriving farms throughout the country, the definition of an economic holding cannot be reduced to a dogmatic formula in simple terms of acreage alone.

My views on this matter generally were given to the House when I introduced the Lands Estimate for the current financial year on 7th June last. Accordingly, I would refer the Deputy to the Official Report for that date— Volume 195, Columns 2206, etc.