asked the Taoiseach the total value of paper, paperboard and the total cost of timber products imported into Ireland for the last five years.

I propose to circulate a statement giving the available data for the last five years.

Following is the statement:

Imports* of Paper, Paperboard and Timber Products.

*In general it should be noted that commodity detail from external trade statistics does not include:—

(a) transactions (non-dutiable) of less than £100 each from 1985 onwards;

(b) trade by firms operating in Shannon Free Airport; and

(c) postal packages not covered by customs entries.