asked the Minister for Finance the present position regarding the various proposals to privatise the whole or part of the Government share-holding in Irish Life.

No decisions have been taken concerning the privatisation of the company. As announced last July, the Government decided that Irish Life Assurance plc should be restructured to facilitate its development into an Irish based international services company in the insurance field and that consultants should be appointed to advise in this regard. The consultants have been appointed and their examination is in progress.