asked the Taoiseach if he will state whether any statistics are available as to the number of non-nationals engaged in insurance business in the State whether as employees or directors, and if he will have the Statistics Office prepare comprehensive statistics as to non-Irish control of existing insurance undertakings.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Non-nationals in Insurance Businesses.
No statistics are available regarding the nationality of persons engaged in insurance business in this country. The nationality of the directors of individual insurance companies operating here is stated in particulars recorded in the Companies' Registration Office, Dublin Castle, and may be inspected there on payment of the prescribed fee. As regards the compilation of statistics as to non-Irish control of existing insurance undertakings in this country, I would refer the Deputy to the 1947 report (the latest available) on assurance companies.
The report was presented to both Houses of the Oireachtas and a copy is available in the Library. The report shows particulars of assurance companies established in this country, those not established here but operating here, summaries of the revenue accounts, profit and loss accounts and balance sheets of such companies and other related matters. I am satisfied that the considerable trouble and expense that would be involved in investigating in greater detail the extent of non-Irish control of such companies would not be justified.
Am I to take it from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that, so far as control is concerned, there is not any information available later than 1947?
Well, it has not been published.