asked the Taoiseach the number of British citizens living in Ireland; and how this figure is calculated.

3.

asked the Taoiseach if he will state in respect of Portugal, Spain and each member country of the EC, but excluding the United Kingdom, the number of their citizens living in Ireland.

Dún Laoghaire): I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together and to circulate a statement showing the information made available to me.

Following is the statement:

(1) The number of persons who were citizens of the EC countries other than the United Kingdom and of Spain and Portugal and who were registered under the aliens legislation on 31 December 1984 were as follows: Belgium, 179; Denmark, 172; France, 1,209; Germany (FRG), 2,027; Greece, 37; Italy, 1,187; Luxembourg, 5; Netherlands, 1,166; Portugal, 72; Spain, 1,323.

Note: Under the aliens legislation, aliens who are resident in the State for three months or more are required to register with the Garda Síochána. Alien in this context does not include persons born in Great Britain or Northern Ireland and in addition certain categories of alien, e.g. children under 16, are exempt from the requirement to register.

Source: Department of Justice.

(2) On the basis of the replies in the 1983 sample Labour Force Survey the estimated number of United Kingdom nationals usually resident in the State in May 1983 was 56,800.

Note: As it is based on a sample inquiry the estimate is prepared to the nearest hundred persons.

Source: Central Statistics Office.

Question No. 2 is very specific in that it just inquires regarding the number of British citizens living in Ireland. Surely we could have that figure?

If the Minister on reconsideration wishes to give an oral answer rather than a written answer that is all right but I will not have a bit of each.

(Dún Laoghaire): I have been assured that the information in the statement is comprehensive. It appears, however, the Deputy wants further information.

There is nothing the Chair can do about the matter.

With due respect, I do not understand. I am aware of the position with regard to statistical statements but that is only where a considerable amount of information is involved. In Question No. 2 only one figure is involved.

There is nothing the Chair can do about it. I have no control over how the Minister answers questions.

Perhaps the Minister of State will explain why he is not giving us the answer to Question No. 2? It is just one figure.

(Dún Laoghaire): I have given the answer. The Ceann Comhairle makes the decision as to whether I should elaborate on the matter when I have agreed already to circulate a statement.

May I put it to the Minister of State that statistical statements are given where there are numbers of figures of a complicated nature. In Question No. 2 Deputy Molloy has asked for only one figure. Is the Minister of State afraid to give that figure to the House? Is it a secret?

I am calling Question No. 4.

It is an abuse of parliamentary procedure. The Minister of State should resign, today.

(Dún Laoghaire): I have given the information.