asked the Minister for Transport and Power how much approximately has been raised by loan by State-sponsored bodies which are under the aegis of his Department for the purpose of meeting current deficits incurred by them within the last ten years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Loans to State-sponsored Bodies.
19.
No State sponsored body, under the aegis of my Department, has had occasion to borrow money for the purpose of meeting current deficits within the last ten years.
What about C.I.E.?
Capital grants——
No. Is the Minister for Industry and Commerce not aware that C.I.E. borrowed money to meet deficits as otherwise they had no means of paying them? Would the Minister for Industry and Commerce or the Taoiseach not agree that, if the Minister for Industry and Commerce is not able to answer the question, the Minister for Transport and Power, not being here to do so, and he being there and I being here, is rather adding insult to injury?
I am informed in supplementary information that C.I.E. did not raise any sums on loan to meet current deficits incurred in the past ten years. The Minister for Transport and Power could tell the Deputy no more than that.