andMr. O'Malley asked the Taoiseach (a) the number of sheepskins produced in Ireland in 1975 (b) the number manufactured into goods in this country and (c) the number exported in an unprocessed condition to each of the importing countries.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement containing the particulars requested at (a) and (c) in the Deputies' question. The information requested at (b) is not yet available.

Following is the statement:

(a) The total number of sheep and lamb skins produced in the State in 1975 is estimated at 1,832,000.

(c) Number of raw sheep and lamb skins exported in the year 1975 to each of the importing Countries.

Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, could he give an indication of the proportion of untreated hides of both kinds in Questions Nos 1 and 2 which are exported without processing?

The number of unprocessed ones exported seems to be just over two million in all.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary give any indication as to the proportion that figure bears to the total?

I cannot give the Deputy that at the moment.

Finally, could I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to accept that there is room for the expansion of this industry in the country and that it is undesirable that hides and skins should be exported?

The Deputy is now entering into an area of policy. There is a question appertaining to policy later.

I was asking the Parliamentary Secretary whether he is aware of any intention.