asked the Minister for Finance if it is considered desirable in the public interest and in accordance with Government policy that any banking company with fifteen branches in Dublin and with over one hundred branches in provincial centres in Ireland should have its headquarters in London and be controlled from such headquarters which are outside the jurisdiction of the State.

The historical development of Irish banking facilities has created a special position as regards the extent to which banks with their headquarters here carry on business outside the present jurisdiction and vice versa.

The Deputy's question raises issues of policy which are too wide to be explored within the limits appropriate for a Parliamentary Question.

Is the Minister aware that a circular was sent out on the 4th June commending that the shareholders' meeting should be held in Ireland only every second year in future? Is the Minister also aware that the lock-out we had here was mainly due to the unsatisfactory conditions of the staffs at that time compared to the staffs of the Irish-controlled banks?

I will bring the matters referred to in the Deputy's supplementary question to the Minister's attention. As the Deputy will understand, I have not the information here.

The majority of Irish banks have the headquarters outside the country.

It did not happen in the last five months.