asked the Minister for Finance whether he will state the value of British silver coinage repatriated in each of the last five financial years, the value of such coinage now circulating in this country and whether it is proposed to take steps to prohibit the infiltration of British coinage into Éire.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Silver Coinage Repatriated.
The face value of British silver coinage returned to the Royal Mint in each of the last five years was £60,000. British coin was also repatriated by the banks in exchange for Irish coinage returned here from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and in addition a certain amount, the aggregate of which it is not possible to state, was repatriated by persons travelling out of the country.
No reliable estimate can be made of the amount at present circulating in Éire.
In regard to the last part of the Deputy's question it is felt that the amount of British coinage which may be brought into this country in future will be offset by amounts of Irish and British coinage brought out by persons travelling from the country and, accordingly, that the necessity for special steps such as appear to be contemplated by the Deputy does not arise.