asked the Taoiseach if he will give in the form of a tabular statement the total amounts of imports of foods into this country for human consumption for the years 1977 to 1980 inclusive, with a precise breakdown of the foods concerned.

7.

asked the Taoiseach if he will give in the form of a tabular statement the total amounts of imports of all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and beverages into this country for human consumption in the years 1977 to 1980, inclusive, with a breakdown of the drinks and beverages concerned.

8.

asked the Taoiseach if he will give in the form of a tabular statement the total amounts of all exports of foods form this country for human consumption in the years 1977 to 1980, inclusive, with a breakdown of the foods concerned.

9.

asked the Taoiseach if he will give in the form of a tabular statement the total amounts of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and beverages exported from this country for human consumption in the years 1977 to 1980, inclusive, with a breakdown of the drinks and beverages concerned.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together and to circulate in the Official Report a summary of imports and exports of the goods concerned in the years 1977 to 1980.

A more detailed breakdown of these imports and exports is published regularly in the monthly Trade Statistics of Ireland. I shall let the Deputy have relevant extracts from these publications covering trade in food and beverages.

Following is the statement:

Imports and exports of foodstuffs and beverages in the years 1977 to 1980

£m

What proportion of food consumed in this country last year consisted of imports?

There was a 34 per cent increase.

No, What percentage of the total amount of food consumed in this country last year consisted of imports in terms of the value of the food consignments?

I have not got that information but it may be in what I have supplied to the Deputy from the trade statistics.

I should be very surprised if it is. Perhaps I might test the Minister. The answer is that 40 per cent of the food consumed in this country last year consisted of imports. That is what is happening under this Government. It is a remarkable thing that the Government do not seem to be aware of it.

Sorry, Deputy, that is a statement.

Is the Minister in a position to state the percentage increase between 1979 and 1980 in the amount of food imported?

I have just mentioned that. On the food there was a 34 per cent increase.

When the Minister replied to the question initially he said there was a 34 per cent increase over last year. Surely if he has the figure of 34 per cent increase he should have the figure that is being sought. Thirty-four per cent of what?

I presume of the previous year's imports.

Yes, but what was the total? Thirty-four per cent of what?

I have not got that.

How does the Minister arrive at 34 per cent if he does not know the figure he is starting from?

Total imports last year were, food, £425 million.

Of the total food consumption, what percentage was that figure you have stated?

I have not got the figure.

But there was a 34 per cent increase?

On the previous year.

How can the Minister say there was a 34 per cent increase on a figure that he does not know? That is incredible.

I am calling Deputy Enright.

We will leave it to the Fine Gael Deputy. He will be able to follow.

I hope so. Could the Minister give us a figure for 1979?

Which figure?

For food imports.

In 1980 it was £1,202,000.

What is the Minister talking about?

It was £1,102 million.

Is the Minister saying food imports in 1979 were £1,102 million?

Imports were £425 million.

In which year?

In 1980.

The Minister was asked to give the figure for 1979.

The figure for the importation of food in 1979——

If we cannot have a debate can we have visual aids?

I am giving the figures I have before me.

We cannot have a debate. A final supplementary from Deputy O'Toole.

What was the figure for 1979?

Has the Minister the figure for the total value of food imports in 1979?

No, not for total food consumption.

From what figure is the Minister working?

I was asked to state the total imports of food and I have given that figure.

It would be helpful if we had the base figure to work from.

We will supply the total figures as promised.

Why not give them now?

I am calling Question No. 10.