The issue raised by the Deputy is a day to day matter for Enterprise Ireland and one in which I have no direct function.
However, I understand from Enterprise Ireland that the value of Enterprise Ireland's holdings in quoted technology companies at the beginning of January 2000 was £121 million. At June 2000 the value was £195.9 million and in January 2001 the value was £164.9 million. The value on 7 June 2001 was £75.5 million.
During the year ended 31 December 2000, Enterprise Ireland disposed of its holdings in technology companies for a realisation of £65.9 million and a further £27.5 million in the first five months of 2001.
In addition, during the same period, three companies, not previously quoted, obtained a market quotation. These were valued, at the time of placing, at £81.7 million compared to the historic cost to Enterprise Ireland of £0.7 million.