asked the Taoiseach if unemployment in Counties Monaghan, Cavan and Louth has increased by 22 per cent, 7 per cent and 27 per cent respectively between 1983 and 1985.

(Dún Laoghaire): A special area of residence analysis of the live register is carried out quarterly on the second last Friday of February, May, August and November. The increases quoted by the Deputy are those which would be derived by comparing the results of the analysis for August 1983 with those for August 1985.

The latest figures relating to November 1985 were issued on 16 January last and a comparison with the results for November 1983 shows increases of 18.6 per cent, 8.5 per cent and 24.1 per cent in the number of persons on the live register and resident in Counties Monaghan, Cavan and Louth, respectively.

In Counties Monaghan, Cavan and Louth the average number on the live register in 1985 was 25.4, 8.1 and 24.2 per cent, respectively, above the corresponding 1983 average.

I must congratulate the Minister of State on his promotion to Taoiseach. I understood that I had asked the question through the Taoiseach, with due respect to the Chief Whip and Minister of State. I am disappointed that the Taoiseach did not answer this question.

It is an insult.

(Dún Laoghaire): This is a statistical question.

This party are behind the Deputy totally.

This is a very important question. The Taoiseach has only just finished the negotiations of the Anglo-Irish agreement and this is a subject of particular relevance to those negotiations which the Taoiseach very adequately led. Is the Minister of State aware of the north-eastern regional development report as referred to in the question?

May I draw Deputy Bell's attention to the fact that this is a statistical question? Supplementaries regarding policy or other matters arising out of the figures which the Deputy has got are not matters for the Minister of State to answer.

I shall explain why I introduced the matter in that form, a Cheann Comhairle. I did not mean to be long-winded. That report refers to the unemployment situation in the north-eastern region and makes a number of recommendations in the area of job development. I am asking if the Minister is aware of that report. In view of the substantial unemployment, particularly in my constituency, I ask the Minister to ensure that this report will be acted upon.

That is not a matter for the Minister of State.

Could the Minister of State give us any idea why we have the situation of Deputy Bell continuing to support a Government who inflict on the country, not just in the north-eastern region but throughout the country as a whole——

Hear, hear.

——catastrophic levels of unemployment? Why is he sitting there continuing to support this Government which continues to cause massive unemployment?

It is because of the alternative.

Deputy Haughey knows that he is not in order.

(Dún Laoghaire): It was the policies of the Fianna Fáil Government that brought about this situation.

He is at it again. Play it again, Sam.

(Dún Laoghaire): The unemployment figure is dropping.

Order, please. I call Deputy Bell.

On a point of order, I did not get a reply to my question.

Let me explain, Deputy, that statistical questions are properly answered by the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach. It is almost impossible to have a supplementary question which is in order, unless it is questioning the figures given. Anything else is not in order.

May I ask a second question if my first is unanswerable? In view of the promises made of foreign aid for the area and the substantial level of unemployment, particularly in County Louth, standing at 27 per cent since 1983, will the Minister use his good offices with his Cabinet colleagues for the purpose of securing the maximum amount of aid for the Border areas?

That is not in order, Deputy, I am sorry.

This question should not be treated as a statistical one because the Deputy concerned gave percentages of the unemployment rates and asked the Taoiseach to comment on them. If the Taoiseach is entitled to comment on them, Deputies should be entitled to do so.

It is a statistical question and few appreciate that as well as Deputy Faulkner.

That is why I am making the case. The Taoiseach was asked to comment. He was not asked for specific information. Let me ask the Taoiseach for information arising from the statistics. Is the Taoiseach aware that the percentage increase in unemployment in County Louth from the end of December 1982, when the Coalition assumed office, to 3 January 1986 is 33 per cent, and would he agree that, in view of the promises made by the Labour Party and by Fine Gael at the general election in November 1982 that their top priority was jobs for the people, the record of these parties in office is a scandal——

The first part of the Deputy's question is in order and is allowed. I am surprised at Deputy Faulkner.

(Dún Laoghaire): The question is a statistical one, to confirm whether unemployment has increased by 22 per cent, 7 per cent and 27 per cent, respectively, between 1983 and 1985. I was not asked to comment on 1982.

The actual increase in unemployment in the county since the Coalition took office is 33 per cent.