asked the Taoiseach the basic weekly wage of industrial workers.

Particulars of the basic weekly wage of industrial workers are not available. Statistics of earnings of industrial workers are derived from returns which show total earnings only, including overtime payments, bonuses, etc. as well as basic pay. Particulars of basic pay are not given separately in these returns and consequently it is not possible to calculate average basic weekly wage figures.

Surely it should be possible to provide this information ? It is available to tax inspectors. It should be available to the Department and also to the House.

The information I have is that these statistics are not available.

The information I got last week was to put down a question for it.

The Deputy did not get that information from me. He got it from Deputy Donegan.