104 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Taoiseach the population on a county by county basis in the western region, which includes counties Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Donegal, in 1970, 1980 and 1990, and the population in 2002. [8705/02]

County population figures are only available for years in which a census of population is taken. The last census of population was taken in 1996. The next census of population is due to be taken on 28 April next and preliminary results will be available at the end of July. The following table gives the relevant details for the years 1971, 1981, 1991 and 1996.

Population of selected counties, Censuses of Population 1971, 1981, 1991 and 1996