Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has had contact with the Central Bank regarding the possibility of striking a commemorative coin to honour Pope John Paul II; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12600/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Since the introduction of euro notes and coins in 2002, two commemorative coins have been issued in Ireland: €5 and €10 coins to mark the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2003; and a €10 coin to mark the accession of ten new member states to the EU during the Irish Presidency in 2004. A €10 coin will be issued in May this year to mark the bicentenary of the birth of William Rowan Hamilton and the Hamilton Year of Science.

I understand from the Central Bank that if a commemorative coin honouring the late Pope was to be produced by the Central Bank it would take approximately six months from the outset to have coins available. I have no plans at present to issue such a coin.

The Deputy may be aware that the Vatican State issues its own euro coins, under an agreement with the European Union, both for general circulation and for commemorative and collector markets.