asked the Taoiseach if he will give details of the value of footwear imported into this country in 1978, 1979 and 1980 and in the first quarter of 1981; and if he will indicate the countries of origin of these imports.

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

Following is the statement:

Imports of Footwear

Can the Minister give any indication whether there has been a rise in those imports this year? How does it compare with the quota for last year?

Yes. There was a rise in the first quarter of this year.

Does the Minister propose to take any action to prevent these imports? Is it possible to do that? A series of cheap imports is coming from third world countries.

I have to remind the Deputy that this is a statistical question. It is not the function of the Minister of State to deal with that aspect of it, but purely the statistical aspect of it.

Will the Minister take any action to stop these imports of cheap materials from third world countries where there is exploitation of the workers at a massive rate?

As the Deputy knows, the whole Government policy is based on an effort to reduce these very high levels through the Irish Goods Council. A continuing high rise in the imports of footwear especially is causing serious concern.

If the Minister states that there was an increase in the first quarter, and that the importation of foreign footwear is still on the increase, and it is Government policy to curtail those imports, is the Minister saying by implication that Government policy has failed again?

That is a very petty remark. The Deputy should not be so facetious about such an important matter.

I have already pointed out that this is a statistical question. Ceist 2.

The Minister has not answered Deputy Andrews' question. Are the Government doing something about it?

The Irish people should do something about it.

They will.