asked the Taoiseach the number of gallons of milk produced in the EEC countries; the number of suppliers of (a) up to 50,000 gallons; (b) over 50,000 to 100,000 gallons; (c) 100,000 to 500,000 gallons and (d) over 500,000 gallons and the equivalent in litres; and this country's percentage of the total EEC production for 1981 and 1982.

, Dún Laoghaire): The quantity of milk produced by dairy herds in the EEC was estimated at 22,321 million gallons in 1981, the latest year for which complete information is available. Ireland's share of the 1981 production was 4.6 per cent.

Provisional indications from the EEC Commission suggest that Community production in 1982 increased to 22,943 million gallons. Ireland's share in 1982 is provisionally estimated at 4.8 per cent.

There is no information available on the number of suppliers in the EEC classified by quantity of milk produced.

Is the Minister for Agriculture aware of these figures and will he accept the overall EEC milk price reduction as suggested? Surely our over-production has little or nothing to do with the overall production of milk in the EEC.

That is a separate question.

I know that quite well but, arising from the information given, I just want to know is the Minister for Agriculture going to accept—

The Deputy is proceeding on the basis that it is worth a try, but not alone is this a separate question but it should be addressed to a separate Minister.

Perhaps I could give the Deputy some further information. The quantity of milk produced in Ireland in 1981 was estimated at 1,026 million gallons, an increase of 7.8 per cent. Production in 1982 was provisionally estimated to be 1,106 million gallons, an increase of 7.8 per cent on 1981.

This compares with a rise of 2.8 per cent of total Community production.

Could I just point out——

The Deputy may not point out anything.

In reply to the Minister, he has quoted a few figures there and I just want to draw the attention of this side of the House——

I do not want to be arguing with new Deputies but it would be better if the Deputy would try to avoid getting off on the wrong foot. The Deputy may not give information.

(Dún Laoghaire): Perhaps the Deputy would put down a question to the Minister for Agriculture.

This is a statistical matter and any questions that arise can only be on the figures given by the Minister.