asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate the year in which the population increase peaked; the rate of increase since then; and the regions most affected.

Estimates of the total population are made on an annual basis in respect of mid-April. At the 1979 census the population was 3,368,000 which represented an increase of 54,000 over the estimated population in April 1978. This was the largest annual increase in absolute terms since the foundation of the State.

The latest available population estimate is 3,543,000 for April 1987. Thus, over the eight year period 1979-1987 the population increased by 175,000 or at an annual average rate of just under 22,000.

I propose to circulate a tabular statement giving the population details for the planning regions at the 1979, 1981 and 1986 censuses of population.

Following is the statement:

Table: The population of the planning regions at the 1979, 1981 and 1986 censuses of population showing the rate of intercensal population increase.

I was trying to establish the year in which the population peaked and the Minister of State in his reply has not indicated whether the Government themselves were satisfied — he spoke about 1981 as the mean year — that 1981 was the year in which the population peaked. If that information was available, was it available prior to the Programme for National Recovery and did the parties to this have that information?

The year in which the population peaked was 1986 in which the figure reached 3,540,643. That represented an increase in the region of a little under 2 per cent in total. With regard to the remaining part of the Deputy's question, the original question did not deal with the relevant matter with regard to understandings, negotiations or agreements and, unfortunately, I do not have that information.

Since the reply is in the main in the form of a tabular statement perhaps the Deputy should await the information contained therein.

Yes.