asked the Minister for Finance (a) the quantities of vegetables imported by the Irish Sugar Company in 1972 and (b) the prices paid relative to the prices paid to Irish farmers for similar produce.

Particulars of vegetables imported by the Irish Sugar Company during 1972 are as follows:

(Apart from peas, these vegetables are not normally grown by the Irish Sugar Company.) The imported peas were of two varieties, one of which was imported at an average of £69 a ton and the other at £77 a ton. The corresponding prices paid to Irish farmers were £66 a ton and £83 a ton.