asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the extent of the increase in imports of Chipboard since the closure of Munster Chipboard Ltd., Waterford.

I am informed that Munster Chipboard Ltd. ceased production on 15 January 1979. Imports of reconstituted wood (which includes all kinds of chipboard) in January 1979 were higher than in any subsequent month up to April which is the latest month for which figures are available. The Central Statistics Office advise that chipboard forms the major portion of these imports. The import figures provided by the Central Statistics Office will be published with the Official Report.

Following are the figures referred to:

Imports of Reconstituted Wood

(January to April 1979)

Rounded to nearest 1,000

*Provisional figures