asked the Minister for Finance whether the National Stud, County Kildare, is owned by the Government of Saorstát Eireann, and if so whether he will state when and under what conditions this property was taken over by the Saorstát Government; further, what profits have been derived from the stud since 1922, and to what purposes have they been allocated, and also if he will state the numbers of sires, brood mares and young stock at present on the farm.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - THE NATIONAL STUD.
The ownership of this farm and the live stock on it is still in dispute between the two Governments, and consequently neither the farm nor the live stock has yet been taken over by the Government of the Saorstát. I may add, for the Deputy's information, that I am legally advised that the stud farm belongs to the Saorstát Government, though the position in regard to the live stock is not quite so clear. It is hoped that before long it will be possible to reach an agreement with the British Government in regard to the matter.
The profits and losses for the three years ended 31st December, 1923, 1924 and 1925, were as follows:—Year to 31/12/1923, loss of £3,395; year to 31/12/1924, profit of £3,679 3s. 3d.; year to 31/12/1925, profit of £9,421 11s. 6d. The figures for 1926 are not yet available. The profits are being held by the British Government pending the settlement of the question as to the future of the stud.