asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will at least maintain and possibly strengthen further the current status and role of the county committees of agriculture.

The current status and role of the committees of agriculture derive from their statutory functions which were substantially revised in 1980 in the context of the ACOT legislation. I have no proposals for further legislative change at the present time.

(Limerick West): Does the Minister agree that such committees are a great force in strengthening local democracy and that they should be further strengthened to enable them to make decisions swiftly? Is the Minister further aware that these committees are a great help in having better use made of State services as decisions can be made at local instead of national level? Can he also give a commitment that they will not be interfered with any further.

I can give that commitment. I can go further and say in regard to the recent AFT-ACOT review group that farming organisations have been asked to submit their views and I would welcome any suggestions from the other side of the House.

Does the Minister agree that it would be a very backward step if committees were removed and if the post of CAO was interfered with as suggested in the report? Is it true that some of the board members of ACOT suggested the abolition of the post of CAO as well as the committees?

I can only go on what is contained in the report which is being reviewed at present. We have asked for suggestions from the Opposition to ensure that the advisory service works as efficiently as possible in the context of tight budgetary constraints.

Does the Minister agree that there is a feeling that county committees of agriculture will be axed? Everything that happened over the past two years in relation to these committees is further evidence of the decision to do away with them. Is the Minister aware that the best brains in agriculture in each county have been picked at no cost to the Exchequer, apart from meagre expenses? Indeed, expenses have been cut to such a degree——

The Deputy is making a speech.

I am asking the Minister if he is aware of these matters. Committees now meet only three or four times a year. This is a retrograde step and I should like an assurance that matters will improve.

I cannot give much assurance in regard to improvements but I have noted all the points made during Question Time.