asked the Taoiseach the number of visitors (a) from Ireland to the Soviet Union and (b) from the Soviet Union to Ireland for the year ended 31 December 1979 with estimates where necessary and comparative figures for the previous two years.

The information requested by the Deputy is not available.

What information is not available?

Information regarding the number of visitors here from the USSR.

Can the Minister give any indication as to when the information might be available?

No. Many such visitors come through Britain or could come on a block visa and it is difficult to get the actual number. The Department of Justice have been consulted about the possibility of obtaining information on visa applications.

Are we then in a situation of having no idea of the number of people from the USSR floating around the country?

People going from here would go to the USSR Embassy for a visa, once they had passports.

Deputy FitzGerald threw the floodgates open to the Russians.

In implementing the Fianna Fáil Government decision which they themselves had not the courage to implement.

17.

asked the Taoiseach the amount of our imports and exports to the Soviet Union for the year ended 31 December 1979 with comparative figures for the previous two years and a breakdown of the main commodities involved.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the information requested by the Deputy.

Following is the statement:

Trade with the Sovier Union 1977-1979. £(000)

Is the Minister aware that Government property is being used as warehousing for these imports?

That is a separate question.

It is a very serious question for the Irish Government.