asked the Minister for Finance if it is the intention of the Government to issue a national loan in the near future.

The answer is in the affirmative.

When?

A fortnight.

What amount?

A fair amount.

And at what rate?

The Minister is very co-operative and he will tell us.

Deputies can be assured that it will be a very attractive investment. I should mention that we are getting more and more away from the traditional concept of a single national loan at periodic intervals which is a major event. The last question referred to the establishment of a money market and was indicative of this change. A number of loans, particularly short-term stocks, are issued during the year, and the coming loan should be accepted by everybody as part of our normal annual financial arrangements.

A state of continuous trauma.