asked the Taoiseach the volume and value of white fish imports in 1983 to date.

(Dún Laoghaire): I propose to circulate a statement showing the information requested by the Deputy.

Following is the statement:—

Imports of White Fish.

Only one figure is quoted. Could the Minister state it?

(Dún Laoghaire): For the period 1983 it is 7,096 tonnes value £13.6 million and from January to July 1984 it is 3,999 tonnes value £8.4 million.

Could the Minister give me some information regarding the varieties of fish imports and the areas of origin?

(Dún Laoghaire): I was asked for only volume.

Can the Minister tell me the various species and countries of origin?

(Dún Laoghaire): I can give imports of white fish. Fresh, chilled or frozen 2,109 tonnes value £2.5 million; dried and salted 163 tonnes value £0.3 million; prepared or preserved 4,823 tonnes value £10.9 million.

Places of origin?

(Dún Laoghaire): I have not got that. It was not in the question but I can get it for the Deputy.

Why did the Minister for Energy refuse to take questions from me about the downgrading or closing down of the ESB district office in Tralee?

Deputy McEllistrim, please. I communicated with Deputy McEllistrim telling him why his questions were disallowed. If he wants any further information on it he should communicate with me either in writing or by visiting my office, but it is quite improper and out of order to seek to raise it here.

I thought that the ESB were under the aegis of the Department of Energy.

The Deputy is now arguing the merits of the Chair's ruling in the House and that is not in order.

I am very disappointed that the Minister for Energy did not take questions about his own constituency.

I want to make it absolutely clear that the questions in question were ruled out of order by the Chair.