1 Mr. O'Leary asked the Taoiseach the total value of imports of fruit, potatoes and vegetables in the last year for which figures are available. [7334/97]

Trade figures are available up to October 1996. The value of imports in the ten month period January to October 1996 was £99 million for fruit, £38 million for potatoes and £93 million for other vegetables. The corresponding value of imports for 1995 was £107 million for fruit, £45 million for potatoes and £94 million for other vegetables.

It should be noted that, overall, approximately 7 per cent of trade is unclassified by commodity. The unclassified trade includes low value transactions, parcel post, Shannon Free Airport trade and some intra-EU estimates.

Does the Minister of State agree that the figures could be dramatically improved if the Government agreed to the appointment of a Minister of State with responsibility for horticulture? This portfolio existed in a previous Administration and such a Minister of State could support the efforts of An Bord Glas. The figures show the potential for import substitution and major job creation in a properly structured market gardening sector.

I am anxious to assist the Deputy in eliciting information but the question is essentially statistical. Matters of policy should not, therefore, arise.

I accept the Chair's ruling. In relation to the statistical aspect of the question, does the Minister of State agree there would be tremendous job creation if the high level of imports was replaced by supplies from the home market?

Let us not enter the area of policy. It would not be appropriate.

Will the Minister of State repeat the figure for vegetables? Does the Minister of State have a figure regarding the importation of flowers?

The figure for vegetables for the period up to October 1996 was £93 million. The corresponding figure for 1995 was £94 million. I do not have a figure for flowers.

It is a lot of money.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Government has devolved responsibility to An Bord Glas. While I accept that, in theory, many of the vegetables could be produced in Ireland, many of the fruits, including bananas, dried grapes, fresh grapes, mandarins, clementines, oranges and pears, could not be produced in this country.

The figure for potatoes is £38 million.

I accept the figure in relation to vegetables presents a challenge and I am sure An Bord Glas is gladly confronting it on a daily basis in terms of its policy implementation.

It involves £100 million worth of vegetables.