asked the Taoiseach the estimated net migration figure for 1985.

Dún Laoghaire): Firm estimates of net migration for the years 1981-86 must await the results of the 1986 Census of Population. Preliminary results will not be available until late 1986. Preliminary annual estimates of net migration are derived from annual estimates of population. Estimates of population and of net migration for the year to mid-April 1985 will not be available until the autumn of 1985 and, for the year to mid-April 1986, until late 1986.

I appreciate that Deputy Molloy asked a more comprehensive question but I understand that parts of the question have been ruled out of order as they had already been answered.

I take it from the Minister's reply that he is not in a position to give me the estimated net migration figure for 1985. Surely Government planning, including that contained in the document Building On Reality, is based on projected estimates of economic indicators and the question of net migration would be important.

(Dún Laoghaire): The most recent period for which estimates are available covers the year 1981 to mid-April 1984.

No, an estimate for 1985.

(Dún Laoghaire): For that three year period there was an estimated net outward migration of 18,000, or 6,000 per annum.

Surely the Minister would accept that the situation with regard to migration has changed dramatically in the last six to eight months? In my question I was seeking to obtain from the Government what was the official Government estimate of net migration for this year, which would give us an indication of the extent of emigration.

(Dún Laoghaire): As I said in my reply, the figures for 1985 will not be available until the autumn of 1985. The figures done have been up to mid-April 1985.

Surely the Minister will accept that it is very unsatisfactory that several concerned bodies here have been able to make an estimate of the current extent of emigration of young, and indeed not so young, people from this country? Surely it is unacceptable that the Government of the day, and the Minister here, are unable to tell Parliament what is the Government's estimate of the extent of this drain on our people?

(Dún Laoghaire): My only reply to that would be that we are now in May 1985 and the Deputy is asking for the figure for the year 1985. I do not think it is unreasonable that we should not have figures available for the year 1985 in May 1985. The estimates are there. Deputy Molloy is talking about emigration. We are talking about net migration and, as the Deputy well knows, emigration and net migration are two different things. This means that, even if one had a figure for emigration it would not give one the net migration figure unless one had other statistics.

Yes, but I wanted an indication of the extent of migration. I did not ask for the figures because the exact figures could not be compiled until after the completion of the year. The question asked for the Government's estimate. Surely the Government must have a view on this important matter, or is it Government policy to pretend that emigration is not now taking place? Surely the Minister on his way home could stand at the American Embassy in Ballsbridge and see the queues of young people endeavouring to get visas——

I am calling Question No. 2.

——or go to our ports and see all the young people who must emigrate? Surely he should realise the effect this is having on Government planning, on the demand for housing——

The Deputy is out of order.

——and the need for services here. All the Government's planning will end up for nought if it does not take into account and adjust for the drain of approximately 50,000 young people who left the country in the last six months.

Would the Deputy please resume his seat? He is out of order.

(Dún Laoghaire): These sorts of wild figures are ridiculous.

The Minister should give us his figure. The Minister is afraid to give a figure.

(Dún Laoghaire): I am not afraid. I said the figures would be available when the statistics come to hand.

People are leaving this country week after week in their thousands.

Deputy Molloy is out of order.

(Dún Laoghaire): These are wild accusations.

The Deputy will have to obey the Chair.

I am sure this is irrelevant to those who have had to leave this island to seek work. The Minister should be ashamed of himself.