asked the Taoiseach the value and weight of all shellfish including cockles, crayfish, crabs, lobsters, prawns, periwinkles, whelks and scallops exported from the ports of Arklow, Baltimore, Balbriggan, Burtonport, Bunbeg, Cahirciveen, Clogherhead, Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Dungarvan, Galway, Greencastle, Howth, Killybegs, Schull and Moville during the year ended 31st December, 1968; and the weight and value of all salmon, grilse and trout exported from the same ports during this period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Exports.
2.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available for 1968. Export figures for individual ports are complied for only one year in every five years. The last year for which the information requested by the Deputy is available is 1964 and, in that year, no exports of shellfish or of salmon, grilse or trout were recorded for any of the ports mentioned.
Could the Taoiseach say why we have not more recent statistics than for 1964? It seems extraordinary that we can get them only when they are no good to us.
The answer indicates that specific statistics are available in respect of specific ports only once in every five years. I think that is the reason.