asked the Minister for Finance if he will state, for each year in which such profit accrued, the amount of profit made by the Government through the rates of interest fixed on advances made to the Electricity Supply Board under the Electricity (Supply) Acts, the Shannon Fisheries Act, and the Liffey Reservoir Act.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Government and Electricity Supply Board.
The rates of interest charged on advances made to the Electricity Supply Board under the different Acts mentioned by the Deputy have varied from time to time and are not arranged with the idea of returning profit to the Exchequer. At the same time, I have to try to ensure that rates are fixed at such a level as will avert the possibility of loss. Accordingly, the balance may be, if anything, slightly in favour of the Exchequer but any profits that might accrue would be only casual, and due to the fact that borrowing had been effected at more favourable rates than were anticipated.