asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider increasing the interest paid on farm credit bonds by one to two per cent in order to compete with foreign banks.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Interest on Farm Credit Bonds.
12.
The return on the current issue of Farm Credit Bonds is in line with the return which can be earned on comparable securities. The Agricultural Credit Corporation also provide deposit account facilities under which an investor can obtain a higher return on deposits of not less than £500. An increase in the interest rate on Farm Credit Bonds on the lines suggested by the Deputy is not warranted. I might add that such an increase would, of course, affect the Corporation's lending rate.