asked the Minister for Finance if he can give an estimate, based on the information in the possession of the Government departments, of the aggregate national income of the Free State in any recent year.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - THE NATIONAL INCOME.
The information at present at my disposal does not enable me to furnish the Deputy with a reliable estimate of the aggregate national income of Saorstát Eireann. The Department of Industry and Commerce is engaged in the collection of statistics which may in due course allow such an estimate to be framed.
Are we to take it then that the Minister prepares his Budget without having any figure in his mind as to what the national income of the State is?
(
indicated assent.)
I see. So that his Budget might in certain circumstances represent more than 100 per cent. of the income, for all the Minister knows to the contrary?
The Deputy would not like to be living on £6 a year.