16 Mr. Blaney asked the Minister for Finance the total national debt on the date on which each new Government came to power during the period from 1969 to 1989 inclusive.

The only national debt figure available for 1969 is that for 31 March, the end of the financial year. From 1970 onwards estimates for a limited number of end-quarters are available in addition to the national debt figure for the end of each financial year. I propose to give the figure for the nearest available end-quarter to the date of commencement of each new Government.

To eliminate double counting the basis for calculating the national debt figures was changed in 1987 and figures on the new basis were prepared for each end-year beginning at end 1982. To facilitate comparisons the end-1982 national debt figure is being provided on both the new and the old basis.

I propose to circulate the following tabular statement which sets out the relevant information for the benefit of the Deputy and the House.

Old Basis

New Basis

(Limerick East): Can the Minister express the debt in percentages of GNP either in what he is circulating or subsequently, for our information?

It will have to be subsequently. It is not expressed as a percentage of GNP in the reply but I will have the exercise done for the Deputy.