asked the Minister for Justice the total amount of debt due by all State or semi-State bodies, and other boards or bodies under the aegis of his Department on 31st March, 1969; and the cost of servicing it.

The answer is that there are no bodies of the kind envisaged in the question under the aegis of my Department.

95.

asked the Minister for Defence the total amount of debt due by all State or semi-State bodies, and other boards or bodies under the aegis of his Department on 31st March, 1969; and the cost of servicing it.

The answer to both parts of the question is "nil".

96.

asked the Minister for Labour the total amount of debt due by all State or semi-State bodies and other boards or bodies under the aegis of his Department on 31st March, 1969; and the cost of servicing it.

The answer is none.

97.

asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of debt due by all State or semi-State bodies and other boards or bodies under the aegis of his Department on 31st March, 1969, and the cost of servicing it.

Following is the information in so far as it is available:—

DEBT, INCLUDING SHARE CAPITAL, OF THE SEMI-STATE BODIES UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE MINISTER FOR FINANCE AT THE LATEST AVAILABLE DATE AND COST OF SERVICING DEBT DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR

(The only body with debt which ends its financial year on 31st March is Taiscí Stáit Teoranta for which figures are given as at 31st March, 1969. In the case of the remaining bodies the information is based on the most recent published accounts. There is no debt in the case of the Central Bank of Ireland and the Racing Board.)

(a) The accounting years vary.

(b) The terms as to interest and repayment have not yet been determined by the Minister for Finance; this sum has been invested in the food pr cessing project which is still at the development stage.

(c) By arrangement with the Minister for Finance interest was not payable on £493,754 of these advances which has been used for special re-equipment loans in lieu of adaptation grants. The re-equipment loans are interest-free for five years.

(d) The terms as to interest and repayment have not yet been determined by the Minister for Finance.

(e) Includes £123,675 dividend paid net of tax.

(f) Represents dividend paid net of tax.

(g) Includes £19,875 dividend on Preference shares paid net of tax.

(h) Includes £2,534 dividend paid net of tax.