asked the Taoiseach the total number of people who have emigrated since 1956.

Reliable figures for net emigration are available only for intercensal periods. Between the Censuses of Population in April, 1956, and April, 1966, the total net emigration was 292,608.

For periods since the last Census of Population the only indicators available of net emigration are the figures for the net outward passenger movement by sea and air. These indicators have proved to be unreliable, and in the 1961-1966 intercensal period the aggregate net outward passenger movement by sea and air was about 45 per cent larger than the net emigration for the same period.

For the twelve-month periods ended February, 1967, and February, 1968, the net outward passenger movement by sea and air was 21,808 and 26,554 respectively. The corresponding figure for the year ended February, 1966, was 30,000. The unreliability of these figures as indicators of net emigration must, however, be stressed.

May we take it from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply that almost half a million people have emigrated from this country since 1956?

The highest figure recorded for emigration in recent times was in respect of the last few dying months of the Coalition Government.

I believe the Parliamentary Secretary is aware that the highest record for emigration occurred during 1958 and 1959, after Fianna Fáil returned to office. Surely those figures are available, and the Parliamentary Secretary knows it? Why try to mislead this House?

What does the Parliamentary Secretary mean when he says that the figures he has quoted are unreliable?

When outward passenger movement figures, by sea and air, are compared with the actual emigration figures, they are unreliable.

"Wives get your Husbands back to Work".

In what way are they unreliable?

Figures are either reliable or unreliable.

In what way?

They are not right.

Because they do not suit you.

What about a check on emigration across the Border?

Ask the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries that one.

We shall get you to ask Mr. Gerry Fitt about that.

Ask the Reverend Mr. Paisley.