asked the Minister for Agriculture the steps it is proposed to take to enable small farmers, with, say, 50 acres, to compete successfully for additional land.

As the House is aware, I will soon be submitting my proposals for future land policy to the Government. The Deputy will appreciate that, in the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the matter at this stage.

I can assure him, however, that my aim will be to facilitate the small to medium family farmer who needs extra land to develop his undertaking.