andMr. Kelly asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if net energy imports to Ireland constitute a higher percentage of GNP than any other EEC countries except Luxembourg, and if any improvement is envisaged on the basis of existing economic trends and proven domestic energy sources over the next five years.

Figures of GNP for the other eight member states of the European Communities in this context are not available to me but, on the basis of published figures for GDP and energy imports for the years 1977 and 1978, it appears that net energy imports to Ireland constitute a higher percentage of GDP than any other EEC country except Luxembourg.

Considerable uncertainty exists about the future level of energy prices and it would be difficult to say with any degree of certainty at this stage whether any improvement can be envisaged over the next five years. As the Deputies are aware, proven domestic energy sources are being exploited to the maximum extent possible.

Would the Minister not agree that the information he disclosed indicates a very serious situation in view of the fact that further economic growth will involve a higher marginal consumption of energy than even the maintenance of existing levels of economic activity? Would he state what plans he has to get over this difficulty?

What the Deputy says is correct and I have been constantly saying that for the past two years. I hope this will get through to the general public to a greater extent than it has up to now. We are one of the countries which is more dependent on external sources of energy than most others and accordingly our vulnerability is greater.

4.