asked the Taoiseach the percentage of our cement requirements being imported at present.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Cement Imports.
9.
Mr. Leonard
(Dún Laoghaire): In the year 1982 imports of portland cement accounted for 6.1 per cent of total domestic supply (excluding exports). In the period January-March 1983 the corresponding proportion was 7.3 per cent.
Has the Minister a figure, included in that, for the amount imported as readymix concrete from Northern Ireland?
(Dún Laoghaire): I do not. I only have the total figure.
The figure of 7.3 per cent seems a disgracefully high figure when we have unemployment running at such a high level. Of the 7.3 per cent could we have a breakdown as between EEC and non-EEC countries?
(Dún Laoghaire): I am afraid I do not have that information. It was not part of the question.
Would the Minister of State get the information and let me have it?
(Dún Laoghaire): If the Deputy will table a question, I will be delighted to give it to him.
Mr. Leonard
Would the Minister of State not agree that it is time we monitored the importation of many products from Northern Ireland?
That is not in order. The Minister is not responsible for——
Mr. Leonard
When we asked for the amounts of fertiliser, readymix concrete and other products imported we are unable to get the information. No records are kept because there is no embargo on these products coming into this country.
I have to rule the Deputy's question out of order.
Mr. Leonard
They should be monitored.