12 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in view of the circumstances surrounding the allocation of an estate (details supplied) in County Longford, he will initiate an inquiry into the matter.

As the allocation of land is a matter reserved by law to the Land Commissioners, I have no function in the matter.

This idea of a Minister saying he has no function in the matter is ludicrous. If the Minister has no function in the matter the question should not properly have been taken in the House at all. Having made that comment I would ask the Minister, if it is not a fact that Ministers have been misinformed for months as to what was going on in relation to this case, despite the fact that the Minister today says he has no function, and that this is a scandalous, indecent operation? Whether the Minister has any function as Minister, he cannot sit there as a Minister of the Government and preside over what has been done in the name of the Government by any agency. It is skulduggery of the lowest type and the Minister should inquire into it.

I know the Deputy is one of the more experienced Members of the House and would have intimate knowledge of the operation of the Land Commission but I am sure he fully appreciates that the answer I have given is accurate and true.

It is not true.

The Land Commissioners, by law, have responsibility for the allocation of land.

I am not saying the Minister is telling a lie but I am saying it is neither true nor accurate. If the Minister probes it he will find that what I have said is true.