asked the Taoiseach if he will list the documents on which the Central Statistics Office bases the value of mineral exports as published in the Trade Statistics of Ireland; and the check, if any, which is made as to the accuracy of the information contained in such documents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mineral Exports.
5.
The statistics of exports of minerals and of exports generally——
I cannot hear the Parliamentary Secretary.
It would be difficult for the Deputy to hear me while members of the front bench of his party are talking.
Nevertheless, I should like to hear the reply.
The Parliamentary Secretary's front bench are whispering. That is the difference in our style: we talk but they whisper.
The statistics of exports of minerals and of exports generally—except those from Shannon Free Airport—are derived from the documents which exporters are required by law to present to customs. Checks on the accuracy of the data declared on export documents are carried out by customs staff, at the time of export, and subsequently by the Central Statistics Office.
I asked the Taoiseach what were the checks. If somebody declares he has exported 100 pairs of boots at £50 a pair, there is an easy method of checking. What is the nature of the check on mineral ores? I do not believe there is any check.
There is, as the Deputy knows, a very strict check on anything that goes out of the country. It is scrutinised by the customs officers in the first instance. It is rechecked by them and it is then sent back to the Central Statistics Office where it gets a final check.
But what is the check on the nature of the mineral content of these ores? That is what I want to know. How do you check mineral exports by looking at them?
That is an extraordinary question. I do not know. I expect if you looked at them you would be able to check them.
You would be able to check them by doing something like that?
Something like that.
I will put down another question to the Taoiseach.
Question No. 6