Would the Minister agree that statistics do not give the full picture? The EEC Committee said this area required rehabilitation. Over the last few weeks we discussed road closures. It is the overall economy of the area which we are——

I am sorry Deputy, we cannot have statements.

Is the Minister aware that it is the overall economy of the area in which we are interested? Study groups of junior Ministers have been set up to examine certain matters. I ask the Minister to make inquiries at the Department of Foreign Affairs with regard to road closures and at the Department of Finance with regard to problems created in relation to VAT impositions.

That is not what the Deputy asked me.

One has to examine it in the overall context.

Of course.

The Minister is speaking solely about figures of unemployed, which is not the whole story.

That is not the Deputy's question. The Deputy's question was about employment and industry.

Yes, but——

I have answered that question.

The Minister cannot be asked questions which are properly answerable by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Would the Minister not agree that the whole area of Dundalk and completely along the Border requires special attention and that various Departments should examine it collectively rather than individually?

I am not going to disagree with that. Of course, clearly, proximity to the Border does cause problems — I am not at all denying that. However, that is not the question about which I have been asked.

No, but——

I have answered the question that I have been asked.