asked the Taoiseach if any changes are required in Ireland's system of statistics and statistical standards in connection with the Single Internal Market; if so, if he will confirm that such changes are in hand; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The completion of the Single Internal Market will have implications for the statistical systems of all member states of the European Community, including Ireland.

A direct consequence of the removal of existing barriers to the free movement of goods, persons and capital within the Community will be the disappearance and the progressive dilution of some current administrative sources for these statistics. New or alternative sources will have to be developed.

In addition, the advent of the Single Internal Market and more integrated Community policies will give a new impetus to the ongoing process of developing and harmonising statistical systems and standards in the member states.

A draft Statistical Programme of the Communities has been prepared to encompass the Community requirements in the context of the Single Internal Market taking account of the implications mentioned above. This is now at an advanced stage of discussion with the National Statistical Institutes. Some elements of the plan will have to be completed by the end of 1992 while others will need a longer timescale for full implementation.

The Central Statistics Office is participating actively in these preparations keeping in mind the national requirements as recently presented in the Report of the National Statistics Board and the necessity to keep to a minimum the net increases in resources required.