asked the Minister for Finance (a) the current external deficit in 1968, (b) by how much the adverse trade balance increased in the first nine months of 1969, (c) by how much he expects net invisible receipts to increase in the calendar year 1969, (d) how much of this increase is estimated to have taken place in the first nine months of this year and (e) what is the current external deficit estimated for the 12 months ended September last.

The following is the information requested in parts (a) to (c) of the Deputy's question:—

(a) £22 million,

(b) £47 million,

(c) £12 to £15 million.

As the balance of payments is prepared on a calendar year basis I am unable to give the information requested in parts (d) and (e) of the Deputy's question. For the calendar year 1969 I expect the current external deficit to be of the order of £55 million.

I was not able to hear the Minister's reply due to some interruptions. I wonder if he could repeat it?

A chonách san ort.

Has Question No. 23 been answered?

It has been.

I did not hear the answer.

It was the Deputy behind you.

I do not think I can hold Deputy FitzGerald responsible for the sins of his colleague so I will read out the answer again—£22 million, £47 million and £12 to £15 million. That is 12/15.

My difficulty is that the question involves five parts and I am not sure to what part these figures refer.

(a) £22 million, (b) £47 million and (c) £12 to £15 million. I cannot tell the Deputy (d) and (e) but the deficit for the whole year will be of the order of £55 million.