asked the Taoiseach the value of imports of potatoes in 1982.

Dún Laoghaire): The value of potatoes imported in 1982 was as follows:

That compares with £14.7 million in 1981.

What was the first figure the Minister gave?

(Dún Laoghaire): £13.5 million.

What was that for?

(Dún Laoghaire): Fresh or chilled potatoes.

Would the Minister of State regard this as a matter of concern since we are primarily an agricultural country? In the past we were big exporters of potatoes in all forms. It would seem there has been a drastic reduction in exports and a big improvement in imports.

This is a statistical question and the Minister of State is not responsible for policy.

Perhaps the Minister of State would ask the Minister for Agriculture if he proposes to introduce any incentive to farmers to redress this scandalous situation.

The Deputy should put down a question about that.

The Minister of State might have the information to hand.

(Dún Laoghaire): It is a shame that we are importing such large quantities of potatoes.

Is it compulsory to indicate on bags of potatoes that they are imported? When a housewife goes into a supermarket she does not know what is imported and what is home grown.

The Minister of State is responsible only for the records of imports and exports and not for the matters raised by the Deputy.

Will the Minister of State convey to the Minister for Agriculture the fact that farmers today are taking £30 and £35 a ton for potatoes while it costs £75 a ton to break even?

Deputy Hilliard should put down a question on that. The Chair might indicate at this juncture that statistical questions are put down for the purpose of obtaining the information asked for.

(Dún Laoghaire): I should like to be helpful.

The Minister of State is not being helpful.

(Dún Laoghaire): I should like to give some statistics to the House.

Only if they are statistics.

(Dún Laoghaire): In 1982 virtually all imports of fresh and chilled potatoes and over 96 per cent of processed potatoes came from other EEC member states. The Netherlands and Northern Ireland were the principal suppliers.