asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state if a definite decision has as yet been made to increase the Government's investment in Irish Shipping, Limited; and, if so, if he will indicate the amount of such proposed increased investment.

The Government have decided to increase their investment in Irish Shipping, Limited, to the extent necessary to enable the company to finance the completion of their approved building programme, except in so far as these requirements may be met by a public issue by the company in the form of debentures or otherwise. The resources of the company are expected to be sufficient to meet payments falling due up to the middle of 1955, and it would be prematureat this stage to set a figure on the amount of the additional Government investment which may be necessary.