asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) the present capital value of each of the hotels owned by Córas Iompair Éireann, and (b) the net profit made by each of these hotels in the last three years.

The hotels of Córas Iompair Éireann are operated on a commercial basis and consequently I do not think it would be desirable to give separately for each of the hotels the particulars sought by the Deputy. The capital value of the six hotels owned by the company was £313,504 at the 31st March, 1951. In the calendar years 1948 and 1949 a net profit was derived from the hotels amounting to £2,967 and £1,403 respectively. The accounting year for the company was subsequently altered and in the 15 months to the 31st March, 1951, there was a net loss in the operation of the hotels amounting to £14,741.

I think these figures are rather important because this is one of the few activities which Córas Iompair Éireann undertake which is known to be a profitable enterprise, and I wonder would the Minister consider them satisfactory from an hotelier's point of view.

No; I certainly do not regard the results obtained in the 15 months ended March, 1951, as at all satisfactory.

Why does the Minister separate the figures from the figures in relation to station and refreshment rooms which are part and parcel of the hotels?

The question related to hotels.

He is a disingenuous man.