Does the Taoiseach intend to take any action to establish solid statistical data so that we can have true figures of the extent of the mass exodus from rural Ireland ——

That is a separate question.

We are talking of numbers in the question. I am asking the Taoiseach what action he proposes to take to establish the true extent of emigration so that we can have some idea of what we have to cope with if we take up the matter with the American Government.

The Deputy will be aware of the obvious difficulties in producing statistics of illegal emigrants.

The emigration figures are running in thousands and thousands.

That is a separate question.

It is part of the question which refers to numbers emigrating.

The Chair is ruling that the question deals with the number of immigrants that are there at present ——

—— and my question to the Taoiseach ——

It deals with all immigrants there at present.

I am asking what action he proposes to take ——

I am ruling that is another question.

—— to establish the true extent of the numbers that are there and if the Taoiseach will accept from me that the numbers run into thousands and thousands, that there has been a mass exodus from this country to the United States? I know he prefers not to know about it. It is easier to bring down the unemployment figures ——

I am calling Deputy Glenn.