asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state in respect of the years 1953-54 and 1954-55 the amount of interest paid by harbour authorities in the Republic of Ireland on (a) money borrowed by way of bank overdraft, (b) stock issue, and (c) money borrowed from other organisations.

As the information requested is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate the reply with the Official Report.

Harbour authorities are required, under the Harbours Act, 1946, to keep copies of their audited accounts available for inspection by interested parties on payment of a fee of 1/-.

Following is the statement:—

INTEREST PAID IN THE YEARS 1953-54 AND 1954-55 BY EACH OF THE UNDERMENTIONED HARBOUR AUTHORITIES ON MONEYS BORROWED.

THE FIGURES RELATE TO THE CALENDAR YEARS 1953 AND 1954 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED.

(e) Figures refer to years ended 31st March, 1954, and 1955;

(f) Figures relate to years ended 30th September, 1953, and 1954;

(g) Instalment of Loan repaid (Principal and Interest);

(h) Contributed under guarantee by local authorities viz. Galway Corporation and Galway Co. Council;

(i) Figures relate to years ended 31st August, 1954 and 1955;

(j) Includes insurance payment.

* Under this heading (c) is included interest on Mortgage Loans from banks.