asked the Minister for Finance the number of farthings held by the Central Bank on 1st November last.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply of Farthings.
5.
Mr. Ryan
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that, on asking to be issued with farthings in Dublin banks last week, many people were informed that the banks did not have such coins available; and whether he now proposes to take steps to facilitate compliance with the recommendations of the Minister for Industry and Commerce on the operation of the turnover tax.
7.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Finance the last date upon which farthings were minted; how the number of farthings in circulation varied from 5,608,299 on 31st December, 1961 to 5,641,920 on 14th November, 1963; and if he will state the number of farthings now actually in stock in the Central Bank.
8.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Finance with reference to a reply of 7th February last whether he has now more precise information of the extent to which farthings are used in regular exchange between members of the public.
I propose, with the Ceann Comhairle's permission, to take Questions Nos. 5 to 8 together.
It is not the practice to reveal information about the management of stocks of coins held by the Central Bank. As to farthings in circulation, the increase between 31 December, 1961, and 14 November, 1963, represents the quantity issued by the Central Bank in that period in response to normal demand. As indicated previously in reply to a similar question by the Deputy, 1959 is the latest year in which farthings were minted.
I am not aware of any inability to supply farthings on the part of the Dublin banks. As I have indicated in connection with previous questions, the Central Bank will maintain adequate stocks of farthings; the stock currently available for issue through the commercial banks is adequate to meet demand for a considerable period ahead.
I have nothing to add to my reply of 7th February regarding the extent to which farthings are used in regular exchange between members of the public.
Mr. Ryan
I am not sure whether the Minister is replying to Questions 5 to 8 or 5 and 8.
Five to eight.
Mr. Ryan
Does the Minister recollect that last week he informed this House that there were farthings in every bank and that if anybody wanted them, they were there? Has the Minister made any inquiries and is he aware that, in fact, Dublin banks have not got farthings available and laughed at people who acted on the suggestion of the Minister and his colleague and sought farthings to operate the turnover tax? When are we to have an end to these insults that are being added to the injury already inflicted by the turnover tax?
The farthings are available and people who insist will get them. As far as the traders are concerned, some of whom are complaining about the lack of a decimal system, they would at least improve things considerably if they would use farthings.
Mr. Ryan
Is the Minister aware that in the magazine Ireland of the Welcomes published with the aid of the taxpayers' money by the Tourist Board, there is an article in this month's issue written by Dr. E.J. Went on the coinage of Ireland which says that the farthing is no longer minted or circulated to the public?
The Minister is not responsible for an article in a magazine.
Mr. Ryan
I am asking is he aware? Surely, if wrong information is being disseminated, the Minister has a responsibility to do something about it? Does the Minister even know what a farthing looks like? I had inquiries made at a dozen banks in the city last week and they could not be found. A gentleman called Mr. Scott met me in George's Street and gave me a farthing which I am prepared to put on the Table of the House. It is probably the only one anyone can produce. Of course, if there are millions of money being lost in public companies, why worry about farthings?
The farthings are there if the Deputy wants them.
Mr. Ryan
The banks will not give them out.