asked the Minister for Finance whether he has yet had meetings with the newspaper associations in regard to the serious effect of the turnover and wholesale taxes on newspapers; and whether, in view of this and of the resultant danger to employees of loss of employment, he will state what action he proposes to take.

I am arranging a meeting with the Dublin Newspaper Managers' Committee and the Provincial Newspapers Association of Ireland to discuss the sales taxes on newspapers. It would not be appropriate to make a statement in advance of this meeting.