asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will have the conditions laid down in the relevant provision of EEC directives 159/72 revised to enable Ireland to avail of the relevant assistance for the reparcelling of fragmented holdings.

In the review of Directive No. 159, which is at present before the Council, I am pressing for modifications in those areas which would be of maximum advantage to our structural reform programme. In this context it is considered that article 13 of the directive—even with modifications—would be only of marginal significance because of our farm structure.

Would the Minister not agree that aid should be available for restructuring where land is being given to any category of farmer and that it should not be confined, as it is at the moment, to developing farmers only? Has he any hope that something as radical as this will be done to amend this scheme because of the very serious problem of fragmented holdings in the west?

The matter is under active discussion. I am sure the Minister will be pressing to have the matter improved.

Is the Minister satisfied with the very serious delay in the Council of Ministers coming to a decision on the proposed directive in relation to the Farm Modernisation Scheme, which, I estimate, has been before the Commission for the last 18 months without any decision being taken?

As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Foreign Affairs clarifed the position last week. He said the Council of Ministers agreed that in future delays will not be as long as they have been.

When does he expect a decision on this matter?

I cannot give an answer.

Approximately?

Question No. 37.

This is a cod.