asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the number of projected jobs in IDA approved industries in each year from 1970 to 1983 inclusive; and in the first four months of 1984.

15.

asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the number of new first time IDA grant-aided jobs created in industry in each year from 1970; and in the first four months of 1984.

16.

asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the number of grant-aided new jobs filled in each region in each year from 1977.

17.

asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the number by country of origin of overseas projects agreed in each year since 1977, together with other job potential and planned investment and IDA grant commitment.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 17, inclusive, together.

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the annual reports of the Industrial Development Authority, copies of which are laid before each House of the Oireachtas. Details in regard to 1983 will be contained in the annual report of the Authority for 1983 which will be published in the near future. Particulars of the number of grant-aided new jobs filled in each IDA region are not available prior to 1978.

I was looking for statistical information which is readily available in the Minister's Department and does the Minister not agree that this is a total unsatisfactory reply? It is clear that the Minister does not want to answer my questions. I do not have the details. I do not believe the information would be in the Minister's favour. Is that why the Minister told me to dig it out of reports which have not even come into the Library yet? We have not yet received the 1983 report from the IDA. I might get the information in six months' time.

The Deputy asked a number of questions.

The Minister knows the gist of what I am looking for. Is it not facetious of him to come in with that kind of a reply when the information is readily available in his Department? He is not prepared to make it available to an Opposition spokesman.

The Deputy will be aware, if he takes the trouble to go to the Dáil Library, that the information is available there in the annual reports of the IDA.

Not in the way I asked in the question.

In respect of 1983, the information will be published in the IDA report for that year in July. Then the Deputy will have all the information he is seeking. I cannot disclose the information that may be contained in the IDA report until such time as it is laid before this House in the normal way.

Is the Minister saying that the information I requested and the manner in which I requested it is readily available in the annual reports?

Yes.

It is not, because I have already studied them. Either the Minister wants to be helpful or he does not. I tried to be helpful in relation to industrial employment but I have to have facts and figures on which to base new policies and ideas for the future. If the Minister is not prepared to co-operate that is fine.

If the Deputy cannot obtain his information in the research services in Leinster House——

Not in the manner in which I am looking for it.

——drawing on the IDA reports, I will get it for him. I wish him to use the services available in Leinster House first.

I assure the Minister I have tried to get it. He will know that these questions came into his Department only last week because I have been trying to get the information together. If we are to have a meaningful debate on industrial policy I need to have this factual information. I have gone out of my way to try to obtain this information. I do not come in here looking for smart aleck answers to smart aleck questions. All I want from the Minister is an assurance that he will make it available to me through the service of his Department.

I am not making any suggestion that the Deputy is looking for smart aleck information. I am quite sure that any question he puts down is done so for legitimate reasons. I accept that the information he is seeking in these questions is information he is legitimately entitled to seek.

Does the Minister accept that I have looked for it?

Most if not all of it is available in the IDA annual reports. I made an offer to the Deputy that if he contacts the research services in Leinster House and they cannot furnish the information then I will get it for him.

I have made every effort——

I will get the information for the Deputy within a week of his indicating that he cannot get it.

Will the Minister supply it from his Department or not?

I have informed the Deputy of what I will do.

I will remember that in future.