asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he can state (1) how many of the 25 shipping companies registered in the Saorstát with nominal capital of £3,921,000 are wholly and absolutely owned and controlled by persons acting as managers, directors or shareholders and having residence and property, other than shipping in the Saorstát; (2) what percentage of the Share Capital of these 25 companies was raised in, and what percentage is now invested within the Saorstát, (3) what number of these 25 companies is owned and controlled by Coast Lines or other foreign combines, and (4) whether all or any of the ships of these companies are registered within the Saorstát.

The information in the possession of the Registrar of Companies is not sufficient to enable me to supply the information asked for by the Deputy in the first and second parts of the question, but the files of the companies referred to are available for inspection by the Deputy at the Companies' Registration Office on payment of the usual fee.

As regards the third part of the question, the latest information in the possession of the Registrar shows that a majority of the ordinary share capital of one out of the 25 shipping companies is held by Coast Lines, Limited.

As regards the fourth part of the question, I am having the necessary information prepared, and will furnish it to the Deputy.