andMr. Browne asked the Taoiseach the total quantity of compound fertiliser imported into the State for the first three months of the present year

In the period January-February, 1977, 72,500 metric tons of compound fertiliser were imported. Data are not yet available in respect of the month of March, 1977.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary have a figure for the same period last year?

The corresponding imports for the January/February, 1976 period were only a little more than half, 34,377 metric tons.

Is there any explanation for the huge increase?

Confidence in the Government.

The Minister for Fisheries does not enter into it. This is most important for a number of constituencies. If it is confidence in the Government that has caused the loss of employment in our fertiliser industry——

We must proceed by way of questions.

If the Minister for Fisheries went fishing we could get on with the Parliamentary Secretary.

I am always fishing.

In muddy waters.

Angling is the word.

Is there not a huge element of dumping of fertilisers?

I cannot say.

We will pursue it with another Minister if we can be assured that the Minister for Fisheries will stay out of the House.