asked the Minister for Finance whether, in view of his statement in Dáil Éireann on the 2nd March last when announcing the recent £12,000,000 issue of Exchequer Bonds, that as last year's issue of such bonds was over-subscribed he was hopeful that this year's would make a similar appeal to the investing public, and that, therefore, though in a position to invest up to £4,000,000 in the new issue, he was prepared to accept a drastic reduction in the amount of his allotments, he will indicate how he reconciles it with the terms of his reply to Question No. 13 addressed to him on March 23rd, when he said that the amount of the loan allocated for public subscription was limited to £8,000,000.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loan Subscriptions.
At no time did I say that the amount of the loan allocated for public subscription was limited to £8,000,000. The statements referred to by the Deputy are, therefore, not inconsistent.
Is the Minister aware that, when replying last week to a similar question, he said that the amount which was offered to the public was limited to £8,000,000?
I did not.
The Minister did.
I have the quotation here, and the word "limited"——
Will the Minister refresh my memory by reading it?
The Deputy ought to read it himself.
Surely the Deputy read it before he put down the question.
I think I had better refer the Deputy to my reply and let him think over it for a week.
I think the Minister had better read what he said before he corrected it.