asked the Taoiseach the amount spent on imports of food-stuffs in 1980 with comparative figures for the previous two years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Imports Cost.
7.
The value of food imports in each of the years 1978 to 1980 was as follows: 1978, £269.8 million; 1979, £317.8 million; 1980, £425.0 million (Provisional).
Are the Government and the Minister of State concerned about the appalling increase in food imports which have virtually trebled over the last three years? Have any steps been taken to have a national food policy to deal with this?
We are all concerned. The Government are conscious of the situation and a special working party was set up last year to give a new impetus to greater use of home products. It was chaired by the Minister of State at the Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism.
Would the Minister say who is on the working party to which he referred and would he accept that it is lamentably failing in its duty if the figure has gone up by 100 per cent since last year?
I have not got the information asked for in the first part of the Deputy's question. I will get it for him. I do not accept the second statement.
Would the Minister agree that the working party was set up as a panic measure in order to counteract the publicity which Deputy John O'Connell gained in regard to this matter?
I always find it very hard to follow Deputy Kelly's arguments. It is the same in this case.
To what does the Minister attribute this massive increase over the last three years and could he also say when the report of the working party will be made available?
The importation of cereals seems to be a big factor. We do not grow enough of our own wheat.