asked the Minister for Finance if he is in a position to state approximately the total amount of capital owned by the citizens and the banking and other institutions of Saorstát Eireann and which is at present invested in external enterprises and securities; and the amount of externally owned capital now invested in securities and enterprises in the Saorstát.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - AMOUNT OF INVESTED CAPITAL.
The income derived by Saorstát residents and companies from investments outside the Saorstát is estimated at a figure between £8,000,000 and £9,000,000 per annum. This figure would include the income derived by Saorstát residents from shares held in companies, such as Arthur Guinness, Son & Co., Ltd., and the National Bank, Ltd., which are registered in England, but whose undertakings are largely carried on in the Saorstát. I have no information as to the amount of capital producing this income, but if the average yield be taken at five per cent. the capital would probably be in the neighbourhood of £170,000,000 or £180,000,000.
I am not at present in a position to express any opinion as to the amount of externally owned capital now invested in securities and enterprises in the Saorstát.