asked the Minister for Finance if he will state what steps, if any, he proposes to take with a view to ascertaining the amount of unclaimed balances and deposits in the Banks of Saorstát Eireann, with a view to having the names of the depositors who cannot be traced published, so that their legal representatives may be enabled to claim what legally belongs to them; also if he will state what steps, if any, he proposes to take in order that such unclaimed balances and deposits, as well as unclaimed property and securities, may be transferred to the custody of the State in order that steps may be taken to assist in finding the rightful legal owners.

In regard to the first part of the question, I do not propose to take steps of the kind suggested by the Deputy and in regard to the latter part I would refer the Deputy to the terms of the reply given by me to the question of Deputy Wall on the 23rd May, 1924, on the subject of the balances lying unclaimed in Irish banking institutions.

Can the Minister say if it would be possible to ascertain the amount of unclaimed balances and deposits?

It would be possible, but I do not propose to do it.

Does the Minister intend to have this matter dealt with by the Commission which he proposes to set up and in connection with which he promised to make some announcement to-day? Is he in a position to do that as he promised last week?

I think if Deputy Davin would ask me one supplementary question at a time, I would be better able to answer.

Can the Minister say if this matter will come within the terms of reference of the Commission which he proposed to set up and in connection with which he promised to make a statement this week?

No, sir.