asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered discontinuing the use of ½p, 1p and 2p coins.

(Clare): I have no such plans.

Could the Minister inform me the value of the ½p now as against when decimalisation was introduced?

(Clare): Small coins such as halfpennys, pence and 5p pieces are important in the pricing arrangements. Without them more inflation could be caused. They have a use and a purpose.

Is the Minister aware that, due to the severe inflation we have experienced over the past three of four years, these coins have become irrelevant and are causing hardship to commercial firms and banking firms who must assemble them?

(Clare): I would consider that the pricing system is far more important than causing annoyance to banking staff. They are important if they are utilised to keep down the price of certain commodities.

Can the Minister confirm that the bakery and bread trade were responsible for the abolition of the old farthing? Perhaps this is an attempt by the same lobby to do the same thing to these coins and to inflate prices.

The Government increased the price of turf by £7 a ton last week.

Deputies should allow the Minister of State to answer the question.

I have some old farthings if the Deputy wants them.

The Deputy should ask a question. Does the Minister intend to reply?

When was an increase of ½p on any article last granted?

(Clare): I have not got that information.

The Minister would find it very difficult to get that information.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is it not a fact that when decimal currency was introduced a considerable time ago the then Minister, who, I think, was the present Taoiseach, stated that the ½p would disappear in a short time?

(Clare): They are probably disappearing without any action being taken.