asked the Taoiseach the countries behind the Iron Curtain with which Ireland has an unfavourable trade balance, and the amount of such trade deficits.

With your permission, Sir, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement showing for certain countries in Eastern Europe the amount of the individual import excess in respect of our trade with each such country for each of the years 1958-62.

Following is the statement:

IMPORT excess for our trade with certain countries in Eastern Europe in each year 1958-1962.

Have we a positive trade balance with any country behind the Iron Curtain or are they all negative?

I have given a list of the countries with whom we have a deficit.

The Deputy's question asked for the countries with whom we have an unfavourable trade balance.

Have we a positive balance with any country behind the Iron Curtain?

Before or behind?