asked the Minister for Finance why the dividends on the 6 per cent Exchequer Stock 1980/85 have not been paid; and whether he will make immediate arrangements for payments to holders of that dividend and any other dividends which may fall due during the currency of the bank dispute.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exchequer Stock Dividends.
8.
The registers of Government stocks are kept by the Bank of Ireland which also has the function of making the interest payments. I regret that it is not practicable to have payments of interest made during the currency of the bank dispute.
Can the Minister suggest how people depending on bank interest warrants, some of whom are completely dependent on them, are to live and manage without them?
I regret that this creates hardship in some cases but it would not be practicable to transfer this function from the Bank of Ireland. It would mean the preparation of new dividend warrants from the stock cards and all the other paraphernalia associated with these matters and it would take quite a long time to put them into effect anyway.
Can the Minister not envolve some scheme whereby his Department would make advances to people on proof of their holdings of National Loan.
I will certainly consider that matter.
Will the Minister examine it as a matter of urgency?
I will.