asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the amount of State money that has been invested in the National Paper Factory at Waterford up to the latest date available.

No moneys from the Central Fund or departmental funds have been invested in the concern to which the Deputy refers.

The State has, however, a contingent liability not exceeding £300,000 in respect of loans to the concern, guaranteed under the Trade Loans (Guarantee) Acts.

Is it not a fact that of the £1,250,000 invested in this undertaking only about £5,000 is private money and the rest is State money in one form or another?

Is this an attempt by these two Deputies to sabotage the factory?

It is an attempt to get the truth. There is no point in Deputy Morrissey's remark unless he is trying to suggest that drawing attention to the fact that the State has invested in it is sabotaging it.

I would like to repudiate the suggestion that I am attempting to sabotage the factory. I know more about it than Deputy Morrissey and have much more interest in it.