: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 34 together and, as the replies are in the form of a tabular statement, to circulate them with the Official Report.
(a) National debt outstanding: 31 December 1976, £3612 million; 31 December 1977, £4229 million; 31 December 1978, £5167 million; 31 December 1979, £6540 million; 30 September 1980, £7200 million (estimate); 31 December 1980, £7500 million (provisional estimate);
The following is the information sought by Deputy L'Estrange at (b) to (f) of his question.
(b) The annual cost of servicing the national debt outstanding on 30 September, 1980 is estimated at £835 million.
(c) 31 per cent using 1980 budget figures
(d) £1,800 million approximately at 30 September, 1980
(e) The annual cost of servicing the amount at (d) is £160 million approximately.
(f) The following debt is due to mature in the next five years
Year
|
£m
|
1981
|
614
|
1982
|
608
|
1983
|
425
|
1984
|
506
|
1985
|
282
|
All the above figures are based on current interest and exchange rates.
It has not been possible to assemble all the information requested at (b) and (c) of Deputy O'Keeffe's question in the time available. If the Deputy will repeat his question in a week's time I hope to be in a position to supply the information. I would, however, refer the Deputy to my reply of 21 October 1980 to Question No. 354 put down by Deputy Barry Desmond. This gave details of the total indebtedness of State-sponsored commercial companies and statutory boards at end-1978, end-1979 and estimate as at end-1980.