asked the Taoiseach why the February trade statistics have not yet been published; what time lag now exists in publishing these figures; and how does this compare with the time lag two, five and ten years ago.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade Statistics.
3.
The provisional trade totals for February, 1970 were published on 18th March. The detailed report "Trade Statistics of Ireland—February 1970" will be published within a few days. The corresponding February publications in 1960, 1965 and 1968 were published on 17th May, 20th May and 20th May respectively.
There is at present a temporary deterioration in the time lag for publication. This has arisen from special circumstances. For the past six months or so arrangements have been proceeding for using a computer to produce the material for the booklet so that it could be printed by the photolitho-graphic method. It had been planned to produce the January 1970 issue under the new system but, in the event, the necessary computer programmes were not completed in time and it was necessary to revert to the traditional system. This gave rise to the present delay as certain-changes which had to be made to the publication to facilitate the computer processing and to improve the content had to be accommodated in the printing process. It is proposed to print the April publication using the new method. When the new reproduction system becomes operative not only will the present delay be eliminated but the monthly publication will be available much earlier than heretofore.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree to consider the publication of the totals for the main headings of the trade statistics which become available shortly after the provisional figures? In view of the long time-lag which now exists and the serious inconvenience for anybody concerned with these figures, would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree it is desirable that information that is available in the form of totals for each of the headings would be published when it becomes available? This would give information three months earlier than at present.
I appreciate the Deputy's difficulty but I am sure he is also aware of the difficulties involved. However, I shall certainly have his proposition examined.
Thank you.