asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the number of factories that (i) pre-pack fish for the frozen food retail market, (ii) can fish, and the total amount exported from Ireland.

There are 13 firms engaged in the pre-packing of fish for the frozen food retail market and one firm engaged in fish canning. Statistics of the total amount of these products exported from Ireland are not available as descriptions under which exported fish and fishery products are classified for the compilation of official trade statistics do not provide for this information.

The Minister talks about 13 firms regarding deep frozen fish. Are these at present supplying frozen fish in the Irish supermarkets?

I have not that information here.

Would the Minister check up on this? My information is that practically all the fish being used in Irish supermarkets is being imported. Surely he will agree that there is something wrong if that is true.

The question relates to pre-packed fish for the retail market here, the number of factories in this country and the amount exported from Ireland. If the Deputy wishes to get information about fish imported and sold in the supermarkets I will endeavour to find that for him if he will put down a question.

The question is about prepacked fish for the frozen food retail market. By that I mean the home trade, Ireland.

The words "exported from Ireland" would lead me to believe that the question relates to exports from Ireland.