asked the Minister for Finance (a) the total amount of profits earned by the Irish banks in the most recent year for which figures are available; (b) the tax paid to the Exchequer on those profits; and (c) whether he considers this level of taxation to be satisfactory.

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the two principal Irish banking groups. According to their published accounts, the pre-tax profits of these two groups for the year ended 31 March 1980 amounted to £82.6 million and Irish corporation tax currently payable £8.6 million.

Regarding the general matter of the banks' contribution to taxation, as I have already indicated to the Deputy in reply to his questions on bank leasing — that refers to questions which were postponed — the Commission on Taxation have been asked to examine the contribution to taxation by financial institutions as a whole and I await their considered views.

Questions Nos. 21, 22 and 23 are for written reply.