asked the Taoiseach the tonnage of timber that is purchased by people from Northern Ireland; and the tonnage that has been exported to the North in the past 12 months and from what counties.

The only information available is that from the external trade statistics which relates to exports of timber to Northern Ireland. In the year 1976, 58,500 metric tons of timber were exported to Northern Ireland. The external trade statistics do not record exports by county of origin.

Even today I have letters from the North Wicklow Development Association about the amount of timber going to Northern Ireland. When I asked a question here about industry I was told that it will be in the 1980s before something happens there. I would be very anxious that something be done about using this timber locally to provide employment instead of having it exported in large quantities to Northern Ireland.

I will convey the Deputy's anxiety to the responsible Minister.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary any statistics for the previous 12 months?

I have. The exports I have mentioned in 1976 were valued at £1.7 million. The corresponding exports for 1975 were 39,000 metric tons valued at £700,000. That is less than half of what it was in 1976.

What is the value of last year's?

I have just given that.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary pass on that information to his colleague the Parliamentary Secretary, Deputy Bruton, who informed me last week of the survey to investigate this position? Like Deputy McLaughlin I hold the view that too much is being exported.