asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether, having regard to the statement made by his predecessor at the opening of Tipperary County Hospital, concerning the Hospitals Trust Funds, he will state the present nominal value of these funds; the proportion invested respectively in (a) Irish Government securities, (b) British Government securities; and (c) other securities in (1) Ireland, and (2) outside Ireland, and whether he will state the market value, as at the latest date for which information is available, of each such group of investments.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospitals Trust Funds.
The moneys in the Hospitals Trust Fund are held by the Hospitals Trust Board under Section 23 of the Hospitals Trust Act, 1933. As regards the investment of the fund it has been pointed out on previous occasions in replies to Parliamentary questions that Ministers cannot be expected to furnish information with regard to matters for which a statutory board has full discretion and responsibility, subject of course to any specific restrictions imposed by law.
Particulars of the income and expenditure of the fund have been published for the period from the 7th October, 1933, to the 31st December. 1939, in the annual reports of the Department which have been laid before the Oireachtas. These reports also contained particulars of the grants made each year out of the fund.
Was it not the Minister for Local Government who appointed this Hospitals Trust Board, by nomination?
Does the Minister not consider himself bound to furnish to members of this House a report of the investments of a board which has been nominated by himself, which holds office at his will and pleasure and which is removable by him? Does the Minister not consider himself bound to give that information to a House of Parliament or is it to be reserved for his own special nominees?
I have nothing to add to the answer which I have given.
The position therefore is that the Minister appoints a board, gives them control over a vast sum of public money and refuses to disclose to this House information which Parliament is obviously entitled to receive.
That is a question, I presume.
Will the Minister say what percentage of these funds is in foreign investments and what percentage in Irish investments?
I have already answered that in my reply.
Will the Minister say why he feels qualified to address strictures to this board and yet he will not ask them for information as to how they invest their funds?
I am not aware that I addressed any strictures to this board.
The Minister is not aware of anything apparently.
Question 11.
I may say that the Deputy does not seem to know which board he is talking about.
The Minister should not continue discussing the question when the next question has been called.