asked the Taoiseach the total number of people that have emigrated from Ireland from the 1st January, 1932, to the latest available date.

It is estimated that between April, 1932 and April, 1966, net emigration from the State amounted to 844,000 persons.

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 12-month periods ended February, 1967, and February, 1968, the net outward passenger movement by sea and air was 21,803 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.

Can the Taoiseach say why they are unreliable?

I have no idea. There is some counterbalance, some movement inwards——

Surely they have been able to understand why they are unreliable?

The only information I have is that they are unreliable. If they knew why I would have been told, I assume.

I will put down a question next week.

Is it not true that 1,225,000 people have emigrated since 1932?

It is not true.

Last year the Taoiseach gave the figure to me, that 1,225,000 people were driven out of the country since Fianna Fáil came into power in 1932.

With Egg Head and Old Mischief here we will have a disturbed day.

We cannot have speeches during Questions.

Would the Minister consider putting a tax on ladies' curling pins, as Deputy Sweetman did?

Ladies do not use them any more.

I have a letter and, if I showed it, it would put Deputy Corry out of public life for all time. It is typical of the lot of them, but he was fool enough to write it.