asked the Taoiseach the value of processed foods including beef and other meat products imported since 1 January 1983.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Processed Food Imports.
3.
Dún Laoghaire): Imports of processed foods, including beef, and other meat products amounted to £93.3 million for the period January-March 1983, the latest for which information is available.
Can the Minister of State tell me whether that includes dairy products and fish imports?
(Dún Laoghaire): Processed foods have been taken not to include animal feed beverages, molasses and certain animal and vegetable oils and fats, some of which may be edible.
May I ask what action the Government have taken to deal with this appalling situation——
This is a statistical question which does not afford an opportunity for dealing with policy.
It is a very important——
Please, I am dealing with Deputy Daly.
We have heard some appalling figures here today from the Minister of State.
The Deputy will have to address that part of his question to some other Minister at some other time.
Does the Minister of State have figures to show the trends in so far as these imports are concerned?
(Dún Laoghaire): Yes, imports of processed foods decreased by £7 million from £100.3 million in January to March 1982 to £93.3 million in January to March 1983. That is a decrease of £7 million since we came into Government. For the year 1982 as a whole, imports of processed foods were £368.1 million, an increase of £23.9 million compared with £344.2 million for 1981.