Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Finance the value of Government bonds issued from August 2008 to August 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30354/09]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Finance the value of Irish Government bonds issued between August 2008 and August 2009 which were purchased by Irish banks covered by the Government deposit guarantee scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30356/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 248 together.

The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) advise that the total amount of Government bonds issued in the period 1 August 2008 to 31 August 2009 was €27 billion. In relation to the geographic distribution of investors, the NTMA advise that such information is only available in relation to bonds sold through syndicated issues. Of the €27 billion raised, some €20 billion was raised through bond syndications. The NTMA advise that syndications since August 2008 have seen approximately 30% distributed to banks covered by the bank guarantee scheme.

As regards bonds sold through auctions, the remaining €7 billion was raised through bond auctions over the relevant period and the only information available relates to the level of participation in the auction by the NTMA's eleven primary dealers, ten of which are international banks. I understand from the NTMA that the level of participation by each Primary Dealer is highly sensitive commercial information and is not disclosed. The NTMA also advise that international investors hold 82% of all outstanding Irish Government bonds. This is a high level by international standards and compares with 22% before the introduction of the euro.