asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will consider introducing legislation to provide the necessary legislative authorisation for ACOT personnel to enter on, inspect and take soil samples from all agricultural land in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

ACOT advisory personnel visit farms at the request of farmers and compulsory legislation of the kind suggested by the Deputy would undermine the relationship of trust and confidentiality, which is the basis of effective advisory work.

Is the Minister aware that the lay land commissioners have had such powers and status for many years and there have been no objections to it? Is he further aware of the large amount of agricultural land either unused or underused and what methods therefore has he in mind for gaining the information which is essential to the Minister for Agriculture in regard to land values and grading of these farms which are under-utilised? It would be of the greatest benefit to farmers and to the country as a whole if they were used to their full value. How does the Minister propose to proceed to gain this information?

I think the Deputy has got various agencies mixed up. ACOT is primarily an advisory service and because of that it has to be on the basis that farmers invite the advisers in. There is a great bond of friendship, trust and confidentiality between an agricultural adviser and an individual farmer and I would not like to see that upset in any way. What the Deputy is speaking about is another area of activity and would have nothing to do with the agricultural advisory services.

I am asking the Minister, has he any alternative method of gaining the information if he is not prepared to gain it through the ACOT personnel who already have the capacity and the personnel, and who are in touch with the farmers? If he is unwilling to do this job through the ACOT personnel, has he any alternative method in mind to gain the type of information which is absolutely essential to his Department if they are to make any progress in this regard? The figure was estimated at between £2 million and £3 million by Dr. Tom Walshe about five years ago. Probably it is more now.

There is a question further down on the Order Paper on land policy. Through their soil surveys over the years the Agricultural Institute have data and information which could be very useful. If we want such information it is reasonably readily available.

Not for every holding in the country.

6.