asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person earning less than £3,000 p.a., but who is also a shareholder in the firm with whom he is employed, is obliged to pay social welfare contributions.

A person who is insurably employed is obliged to pay social welfare contributions.

Normally a shareholder of a firm holding office under a contract of service with that firm is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. If, however, the shareholder has a controlling interest in the firm the employment is not insurable.

The rate of remuneration payable does not affect the question of insurability under the Acts.

Would a person with a minority shareholding of, say, 49 per cent still be obliged to contribute?

I cannot advise the Deputy's constituents. I can only tell them what the law is in the matter.

In view of the Minister's doubts in regard to the honesty of his constituents, I, too, will try to look after my own constituents.

Deputy Michael Keating.

In reply to Deputy Fitzpatrick the Minister said he did not believe his constituents when they came to him for the first time.

Most Deputies know that when a constituent gives you his version of events they are not always in accordance with the facts.

The Minister must have serious doubts about his constituents.

With respect, a Cheann Comhairle, the Deputy is not all that long a Deputy.

I tried three times before I got in.

The Deputy knows that when a constituent comes to you with a complaint it is as well to check the facts.