asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the number of temporary ration cards for butter and sugar issued to visitors to Éire during each month of the calendar year 1946.

As the reply is in the form of a statistical statement, I propose to circulate it with the Official Report. It is not possible to segregate the persons to whom temporary ration cards were issued into Irish nationals and visitors from other countries, but such information as is available suggests that more than 80 per cent, of those receiving such cards were Irish nationals.

Following is the statement:—

Number of food ration cards, entitling the holders to obtain one week's rations of sugar and butter, issued to arrivals to Éire during 1946.