asked the Taoiseach the total volume of diamonds by category imported into Ireland in 1982; and up to 30 April 1983; the countries of origin of the diamonds; and the countries from which they were imported.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Diamond Imports.
2.
Dún Laoghaire): The commodity details for trade other than through Shannon Free Airport showed imports of 2.3 million carats of diamonds in the year 1982 and of 1.0 million carats in the months January to April 1983. Commodity data for trade through Shannon Free Airport cannot be supplied without a breach of confidentiality.
I propose to circulate a statement giving the further details requested by the Deputy for diamond imports other than through Shannon Free Airport.
Following is the statement:
Imports of diamonds*
|
000 carats |
||||||
|
Industrial |
Other |
Total |
||||
|
Country of origin |
||||||
|
Jan.-April |
Jan.-April |
Jan.-April |
||||
|
1982 |
1983 |
1982 |
1983 |
1982 |
1983 |
|
|
Belgium/Luxembourg |
— |
— |
52.2 |
0.2 |
52.2 |
0.2 |
|
UK |
7.4 |
0.1 |
1.5 |
0.6 |
8.9 |
0.7 |
|
USA |
2,224.2 |
961.7 |
— |
— |
2,224.2 |
961.7 |
|
Total |
2,231.6 |
961.8 |
53.7 |
0.8 |
2,285.3 |
962.6 |
|
Country of consignment |
||||||
|
Belgium/Luxembourg |
— |
— |
52.2 |
0.2 |
52.2 |
0.2 |
|
UK |
9.5 |
0.1 |
1.5 |
0.6 |
11.0 |
0.7 |
|
USA |
2,132.1 |
961.7 |
— |
— |
2,132.1 |
961.7 |
|
Japan |
90.0 |
— |
— |
— |
90.0 |
— |
|
Total |
2,231.6 |
961.8 |
53.7 |
0.8 |
2,285.3 |
962.6 |
*Excluding trade through Shannon Free Airport.
I did not hear what the Minister of State said about confidentiality. Would he please repeat it.
(Dún Laoghaire): Commodity data for trade through Shannon Free Airport cannot be supplied without a breach of confidentiality.
Is the Minister saying that imports can be made through Shannon Free Airport without the knowledge of the Department of Trade, Commerce and Tourism?
(Dún Laoghaire): The Deputy already had questions in this area to the Department of Trade, Commerce and Tourism disallowed.
That is not true.
(Dún Laoghaire): The question was put down to the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism.
And referred to the Taoiseach's Department.
(Dún Laoghaire): The question was disallowed on the grounds that such information relating to an individual company could not be released.
I am not asking this question about any individual company, as the Ceann Comhairle can verify by looking at the question. I am asking the Minister what the confidentiality covers.
(Dún Laoghaire): The activity of individual firms.
I have no question down about individual firms. The question before the House is about the importation of diamonds.
(Dún Laoghaire): The information requested has been supplied and I have given a statement showing the details of each country involved.
I mentioned category in my question and the Minister of State did not make any distinction between the categories of diamonds in his reply.
(Dún Laoghaire): They are shown in the information circulated.
Can the Minister of State say how many importers are listed and licensed for the importation of diamonds.
That seems to be a separate question. This is a statistical question. The Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach is answering it because the Taoiseach is in charge of the Statistics Office. He does not know the breakdown of these things nor the policy concerning them.
May I ask if they are still a girl's best friend?
(Dún Laoghaire): They are.