asked the Taoiseach the value of vegetables, excluding potatoes, and fruit imported in (a) 1987 and (b) 1988.

I propose to circulate a statement giving the required information up to October 1988, the latest date for which details are available.

Following is the statement:

Imports† of Vegetables (excluding Potatoes) and Fruit

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

(a) transactions (non-dutiable) of less than £200 for 1987 and 1988;

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

(c) postal packages not covered by customs entries.

We will now move to priority Question No. 12 to the Minister for Agriculture and Food.