asked the Minister for Finance the total national debt (a) in 1956 and (b) at the latest available date; and the total amount borrowed by the State since 1st April, 1966.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Debt.
18.
The total national debt at 31st March, 1956, was £309 million and at 31st March, 1966, the latest date for which full figures are available, £715 million.
The total amount borrowed by the State since 1st April, 1966, is £39 million approximately.
Can we take it that the national debt has risen by almost £5 million? If we add the national debt to the amount due by local authorities throughout the country, we now have a total national debt of £1,000 million.
That is not a question.
Does the Deputy want development or not?
We are not getting development; if we were we would be quite satisfied. If the money were properly spent——
Order. Question No. 19.
Could the Minister tell us what it costs to bring a State car down to Kerry?
Fine Gael Ministers never hesitated to use their cars for all sorts of purposes.
They never abused them as they have been abused for the last few years.
They used them for all sorts of purposes.
(Interruptions.)
If Deputy L'Estrange persists, I shall have to ask him to leave the House.
I shall go to Waterford.