asked the Taoiseach the amount of eggs being imported and the percentage of the imports vis-à-vis total egg consumption.

Dún Laoghaire): In 1985 imports of eggs in shell numbered 160.9 million. This figure represents about 21 per cent of the estimated total consumption of eggs in that year.

Will the Minister accept that this amount of importation should give rise to serious consideration of dumping?

That is not a matter for the Taoiseach. It is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture.

The Minister of State has given us the total amount. My information is that 3¼ million eggs per week at a value of £8.37 million are being imported and this is certainly affecting the producers. Recently a number of producers have gone out of business because of this problem.

The Minister is only responsible for producing the statistical answers, as he has done.

Could the Minister give us any indication of how much of this egg will be left on the Government's face after this evening?

That is out of order.

Will the Minister check because this is an anomaly which continues year after year. The egg importers are enjoying preferential treatment over the producers here.

This is not a matter for the Minister. He is producing the statistical figures. Such a question should be addressed to the Minister for Agriculture.

(Dún Laoghaire)): If the Deputy wishes to table a question I will answer it.