asked the Taoiseach if he will detail the exports to and imports from the Republic of South Africa in respect of category and value for each of the past three years.

The available information relates to trade with the Republic of South Africa and Namibia combined. I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the information for the years 1986, 1987 and 1988.

Following is the statement:

Imports from the Republic of South Africa and Namibia

Exports to the Republic of South Africa and Namibia

* For 1986 and 1987 the commodity classification used was the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC Rev 2); for 1988 SITC Rev 3 was used. This may have resulted in some minor discontinuities in the commodity categories between 1987 and 1988.

Country/commodity detail from external trade statistics does not include:

(a) transactions (non-dutiable) of less than £100 for 1986 and £200 for 1987 and 1988;

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

(c) postal packages not covered by customs entries.

Arising from that reply could I ask the Minister of State, in respect of this important issue, whether the Government propose any new initiatives in the coming year to restrict and in fact reverse the trend of increased trade with South Africa in line with demands from the international community and from the African National Congress that such trade should end?

The question before the House is essentially statistical. Matters of policy do not arise at this stage. The next questions are questions nominated for priority and, under the Standing Orders of this House, 15 minutes only is provided for dealing with them. There are five such questions.