Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 321: To ask the Minister for Finance the national debt arising from either the public or the private sector as at 31 December in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1675/11]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to advise the Deputy that private sector debt is not counted as part of the National Debt. National Debt is the total outstanding amount of principal borrowed by Central Government and not repaid to date less liquid assets available for redemption of those liabilities at the same date. Figures for the National Debt over the past five years are detailed in the following table.