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.