asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (i) the profits of Irish Shipping, Limited, in each year since the company's formation; and (ii) the sums paid in each financial year by this company (a) as income-tax, (b) as corporation profits tax, and (c) as excess corporation profits tax.

I have arranged to place in the Library of the House copies of the balance sheets and profit and loss accounts of Irish Shipping, Limited, for each year since its establishment, as audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General. I may mention that in recent years it has been the practice of the company to publish these accounts by way of advertisement in the daily newspapers. I do not propose to ask the company to furnish particulars relating to taxation payments, which are not disclosed by their competitors or by other concerns.