asked the Minister for Finance the number of farthings and halfpennies in circulation; and whether any extra farthings and halfpennies have been, or will be, minted to facilitate shopkeepers and their customers in responding to the recommendations of the Minister for Industry and Commerce about the operation of the turnover tax.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply of Farthings and Halfpennies.
4.
Mr. Ryan
The numbers of Irish farthings and halfpennies in circulation are 5,641,920 and 23,329,920, respectively.The Central Bank will maintain adequate stocks of these coins.
Mr. Ryan
The Minister will appreciate that the question I asked was the number of farthings in circulation, not the number in the banks. In view of the Minister's statement earlier this year that he was considering withdrawing farthings from circulation, did he make his decision known to the Minister for Industry and Commerce before that Minister issued his ridiculous statement about farthings? Further, if he is not withdrawing farthings from circulation, and having regard to the fact that they have been withdrawn from circulation in Britain and the Six Counties, will he arrange that adequate supplies of farthings will be provided at all points of entry to give change to tourists?
The figure I gave for farthings was the number in circulation. There is no intention of having farthings withdrawn.
Mr. Ryan
Even the schoolchildren in these days have the greatest difficulty doing sums in farthings because they have never seen the wretched things. In these circumstances, the statement of the Minister for Industry and Commerce was contemptuous of the public and the shopkeepers and the Minister is equally contemptuous.
I will answer the question——
(Interruptions.)
Order.
There are adequate supplies of farthings.
Mr. Ryan
Where are they?
They are in every bank, and if anybody wants to get them, they are there.
They will want them for the turnover tax.
Your friends are talking about the metric system. They will not use the farthings.
Mr. Ryan
Life is complicated enough without farthings. What is 2½ per cent of a farthing?
Two and a half per cent of the Deputy's brains would not be very much.
Mr. Ryan
Very well; what is 2½ per cent of sixpence?
(Interruptions.)
Order.
Mr. Ryan
It is not even a farthing. Does the Minister propose to have a smaller coinage than farthings available?
What is 2½ per cent of a cent?
Mr. Ryan
The farthings make them very annoyed.