Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that as a result of the 100 per cent increase in the importation of compound fertiliser for the two months of January and February of this year, employees engaged in the manufacture of compound fertiliser here are very worried and upset about what their future may be? The Parliamentary Secretary has already indicated that there has been quite a big drop in employment in fertiliser factories in 1976. I take it that the Parliamentary Secretary is aware of the huge importation increase and that he is aware that much of this fertiliser is being imported in bags marked "Made in Ireland". What action is the Parliamentary Secretary taking to safeguard the jobs of Irish workers? Will the Parliamentary Secretary admit that while the farming community are securing fertiliser at a cheap rate at the moment they will suffer for it in the long run when our own factories are put out of production?

I have no wish to be discourteous to the Deputy and I will be happy to answer the question as far as possible. However, as I pointed out to Deputy Gibbons, Question No. 9 relates to the numbers employed. The Deputy may raise some of the material in his supplementary question on a later question.

Question No. 10 please.

Surely the Parliamentary Secretary will admit that if the importation of any article, in this case compound fertiliser, increased by 100 per cent in two months, jobs would be endangered?

The importation aspect of this is another matter. This question deals with the numbers employed.

Surely, importation is what counts here?

It is another question Deputy.

I would be very happy to discuss the matter mentioned by Deputy Browne on a later question which is put down for answer today.

In view of the decline of approximately 300 employees in the fertiliser industry from 1975 to 1976, could the Parliamentary Secretary say if a decline in the use of the fertiliser, or an increase in fertiliser imports, is responsible?

The major factor is probably the latter mentioned by the Deputy.

Importation?

I want to deal with other questions.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the importation of fertiliser is having a bad effect on the employment of Irish people?

Importation is another matter.