asked the Minister for Agriculture if he agrees that the Irish Land Commission brought numerous farms to viability, protecting valued employment; and the proposals he has to ensure that large estates will not fall into the hands of speculators or ranchers now that he has abolished the Irish Land Commission.

I would accept that in many cases the outcome of Land Commission activity has been as stated by the Deputy.

In relation to the second part of the question I would refer to the controls exercised under section 45 of the Land Act, 1965. The recently introduced group purchase scheme has also been operating successfully. In addition, measures are at present under consideration to control the purchase of agricultural land so that the smaller farmer and the qualified landless person will have a better opportunity to compete on the open market.

What proposals has the Minister to ensure that land does not fall into the hands of speculators or very big farmers?

I cannot prejudge a Government decision on that.

Would the Minister agree that he has no such proposals? Such activities have gone on for two years now.

I want to make it clear that what the Deputy said is not correct.

Can the Minister explain how it is not correct?

This is not a court for cross-examination.

(Limerick West): Is the Minister stating specifically that, as of now, there are no safeguards to ensure that this does not happen? Yes or no?

Having spent a lifetime dealing with land problems, the Deputy is well aware that there is no black and white issue. There is control in relation to non-nationalists. I have said that a thousand times in the past two years. I will say it again. It is still there and the subdivision is still there.

Where is the evidence?