Austin Deasy
Question:3 Mr. Deasy asked the Taoiseach the estimated numbers of (1) skins and (2) hides which are produced in the State; and the numbers which are (a) processed in the State and (b) exported.
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Production of Skins and Hides.
In 1990 total slaughterings of (1) sheep and (2) cattle were estimated to be 3,887,000 and 1,583,000 respectively. The actual number of skins and hides produced is not available. Information on the numbers of hides and skins processed in the State is unavailable for confidentiality reasons.
The external trade statistics for 1990 show that exports of raw sheepskin, whether or not with wool on or split, amounted to 12,421 tonnes; while exports of raw cattle hide amounted to 48,273 tonnes. In the case of sheep the number of raw skins, whether or not with wool on or split, exported in 1990 was 4,812,000. No information on the numbers of raw cattle hides exported is available.
Will the Minister of State say what are the confidential reasons for not revealing the number of hides; is it a national secret; will the security of the State be placed in jeopardy if that information is made available?
In cases of statistics I understand it is common that statistics in relation to particular areas are not furnished. I am reluctant to say why. In this instance it is because there is one firm only involved in the country.
Will the Minister not agree that statistics of this nature should be a matter of public knowledge, that the only type of statistics which should not be revealed are those that relate to matters that might affect the security of the State? Is he seriously suggesting that the revelation of this information would do that, or would jeopardise the firm to which he referred in its trading patterns?
We are having repetition leading to argument.
I do not wish to say anything further other than it might very well jeopardise the firm involved.