andMr. O'Toole asked the Taoiseach the increase in money terms of the actual increase in value of food imports into Ireland in 1979.

Imports of food in 1978 amounted to £271 million. In 1979 these imports increased by £47 million to £318 million. When expressed in terms of constant 1978 prices this increase is estimated at about £29 million.

Is the Minister concerned at the sizeable increase in imported foods?

I am always concerned about rising imports.

In view of his concern does he intend to take any steps to try to curtail these imports?

I am sure the Deputy is aware that all the time we are striving to get more balanced trade by cutting imports where we can.

Is the Minister aware that one supermarket, representing a multinational chain, gave a commitment to the Government that they would not import large quantities of food and that they are in breach of this commitment?

That is an entirely different question.

This is a statistical question and as such it involves various other Departments.

Have any Department any proposals to curtail this adverse trend now developing because of the influx of multinationals in the food trade?

Deputy Enright asked that question.

I already answered that question.

I do not think the Minister has.

That question is for another Minister. The Minister of State answered a statistical question.

The Minister must have expected to be asked at least a few supplementaries.

The Deputy will appreciate that his question should be answered by another Minister.

The Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism answered very fully a similar question on policy matters last February.

It did not stop the increases.

What are the major importing items which cost £318 million?

Cereals and cereal preparations were two of the main factors.

Cornflakes?

There were also vegetables and fruit. Cereals accounted for an increase of £15 million, vegetables and fruit £12 million and coffee, tea and cocoa about £6 million.

Is the Minister aware that most of the items mentioned are produced in Ireland? It shows a lack of initiative on the part of the Government when they do not ensure that these goods are produced at home.

Despite our best endeavours we have not succeeded in growing bananas——

We are rapidly becoming a banana republic.

We do not grow tea or cocoa either.

andMr. O'Toole asked the Taoiseach the value of food imports into Ireland in money terms for each of the years, 1975 to 1979 inclusive.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the value of food imports (a) at current prices and (b) at constant 1975 prices for each of the years 1975 to 1979.

Following is the statement:

Imports of Food

*provisional.

Is the Minister in a position to give the percentage increases?

The Deputy will get the information in the tabulated reply.

I would like to know what the percentages are.

The Chair frequently says there is no point in having tabular statements in the Official Report if Deputies proceed to have them teased out in the House.

I hoped we would be able to tease out a small amount of information at this stage. I did not ask for a reply in the form of a tabular statement. Is the Minister in a position to give a breakdown——

The Deputy will find the tabular statement very helpful.

It would be more helpful if the Minister gave the figures now.

This is much more factual than what I would give.