Dáil Éireann - Volume 221 - 24 February, 1966

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish and Foreign Capital Investment.

Mr. L'Estrange Mr. L'Estrange

4. Mr. L'Estrange asked the Taoiseach (a) the total amount of foreign capital invested in Ireland today, and (b) the total amount of Irish capital invested abroad.

Mr. Carty Mr. Carty

Mr. Carty: There is not sufficient information available regarding the total foreign capital invested in the State and the total value of external assets held by Irish residents on which to base reliable estimates of their aggregate magnitude. It is not possible, therefore, to give the information requested by the Deputy.

Mr. L'Estrange Mr. L'Estrange

Mr. L'Estrange: They intended to look for another £7 million.

Mr. Sweetman Mr. Sweetman

433

[433] Mr. Sweetman: Surely the Minister for Finance has that information?

Mr. Carty Mr. Carty

Mr. Carty: The expenditure involved in compiling this information would not warrant——

Mr. Sweetman Mr. Sweetman

Mr. Sweetman: That is not what the Parliamentary Secretary said first. Which is the truth? It is not worth compiling or it has not been got?

Mr. Carty Mr. Carty

Mr. Carty: It is not worth compiling.

Mr. P. Hogan (South Tipperary) Mr. P. Hogan (South Tipperary)

Mr. P. Hogan (South Tipperary): Surely this is a most important matter and the information is worth compiling? Our counterpart in Northern Ireland came down here and said how much American money was invested in the North, and here we say the information cannot be given.

Mr. L'Estrange Mr. L'Estrange

Mr. L'Estrange: Surely if the Government have £100,000 to spend on two elections they could spend £10,000 or £15,000 on this? It is a poor state of affairs if we cannot get that information.

Mr. Corish Mr. Corish

Mr. Corish: It is a poor state— period.

Dáil Éireann 221 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Irish and Foreign Capital Investment.

Questions

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