asked the Minister for Agriculture if the Land Commission have abandoned the purchase of land for distribution among smallholders.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 760 on 8 June 1983.

Is the Minister aware that even in cases where section 40 was imposed on farmers the Land Commission at present are now reneging on their responsibility to acquire that land?

The Deputy is no doubt aware that the serving of section 40 notice does not mean necessarily that acquisition proceedings will follow.

Heretofore it was generally accepted that that was the tradition, but that is not so at present. Is the Minister also aware that we are being stopped from acquiring land, which is a serious situation?

As the Deputy is well aware, because of the powers given under section 40 it is after receipt of the inspector's report that the decision is made whether the Land Commission should continue with acquisition.

Does the Minister's reply mean that he has now abandoned purchasing land for smallholders? Is this his attitude towards small farmers?