asked the Minister for the Environment if Land Commission officials will be working within his Department when assessing adjusted acres for land tax.

Detailed arrangements for the assessment of adjusted acreage are at present being formulated by an inter-departmental group under the chairmanship of the Department of the Public Service.

Can the Minister tell us if any of his officials will be involved in the adjustment of acreages for agricultural tax purposes?

I will await the results of that inter-departmental group in the investigation of acreages in each individual area. I can assure the Deputy that no officials of my Department will be involved.

Will the Land Commission officials have a structure or back-up service within the Department of the Environment?

The Land Commission are not part of my Department. At present they have no structure as such in my Department.