asked the Minister for Lands if the Land Commission will acquire the Dillon estate (details supplied) at Cooleragh West, Coill Dubh, County Kildare, for division among needy smallholders in the area.

The Land Commission have had the question of acquiring the property referred to under review for some time but have decided to take no further action in the matter.

Is the Minister aware that there are many local applicants in this area, that the estate has been available and subject to Land Commission investigation for some time and that there are problems created by the Land Commission which the acquisition of this estate would enable them to remedy? Is he aware that there is also a request from Coill Dubh village for a playing pitch on a county council building site on this estate? In view of all these circumstances, is the Minister happy that the Land Commission have decided not to acquire this estate?

Whether I am happy or unhappy I have no power in the matter. All the considerations that the Deputy has now put before the House were considered by the Land Commissioners when they took this decision. They have taken a decision not to proceed.

Would the Minister agree that the Land Commission are there for the purpose of dealing with estates like this? Surely when an opportunity occurs we have an obligation to remedy mistakes that they have previously made? Does the Minister not feel that it is his duty as Minister for Lands to tell them that he is not happy with the way they are carrying out their functions? This is an example of the failure of the Land Commission to fulfil their primary function in acquiring land and giving it to needy small holders in that area.

All the matters that the Deputy has related to the House were considered by the Land Commission when they made their decision. I cannot do anything about that, because law indicates that the Land Commissioners and not I have the right to decide whether they should proceed or not.