asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when it is proposed to publish the 1984 Blue Book summary of statements of assurance business.

34.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when the insurance Blue Book for 1984 will be issued; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 34 together.

I expect that the 1984 Blue Book will be published within the next few weeks. The delay is due to the fact that the audited accounts of the Insurance Corporation of Ireland, which are due for publication shortly, cover the two years to 31 December 1985. The Blue Book will, accordingly, show data up to that date for that company.

Will the Minister say how long overdue is the Blue Book as compared with previous years?

Usually the Blue Book is published around the end of the following year. For instance, the Blue Book for 1980 was published in November 1981; for 1981 it was published in December 1982; for 1982 it was published in January 1984; and for 1983 it was published in March 1985. We are running perhaps two or three months late and the reason is that we want a comprehensive review, taking into account the ICI experience.

May I take it that the administrator's report on the ICI business is to be incorporated in the returns in the Blue Book for this year? Has the Minister a copy of that report and, if so, will he place it in the Library or publish it?

The audited accounts of the ICI will be published by the administrator in the near future. The figures relevant to the Blue Book will be published in the 1984 Blue Book but there will also be an annex for 1985 in respect of the ICI experience.

The administrator's report was supposed to be ready before the end of May.

The administrator is responsible for the report. I am sure he is a very thorough and professional gentleman.

I am calling Question No. 3.