asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of motor cars assembled in 1975 and 1976.

165.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of motor vehicles assembled within the State in (a) 1975 and (b) 1976.

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.

Official statistics are not yet available for the years in question. Figures compiled in my Department, mainly on the basis of returns from the majority of the assemblers, but containing some degree of estimation, show that 38,200 motor vehicles were assembled in 1975 and 46,900 in 1976. Separate figures for cars and commercial vehicles are not available in my Department.