Bernard J. Durkan
Question:162 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will outline the trade balance for each year from 1982 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Trade Balance Statistics.
Details of Ireland's trade balance from 1982 to date, as provided by the Central Statistics Office, are as follows:
|
Year |
Imports |
Exports |
Trade Surplus |
|
1982 |
6,816.2 |
5,691.4 |
-1,124.7 |
|
1983 |
7,366.8 |
6,943.8 |
-422.9 |
|
1984 |
8,912.2 |
8,897.5 |
-14.6 |
|
1985 |
9,428.2 |
9,743.0 |
314.8 |
|
1986 |
8,621.3 |
9,374.3 |
753.0 |
|
1987 |
9,155.2 |
10,723.5 |
1,568.3 |
|
1988 |
10,214.8 |
12,304.8 |
2,090.1 |
|
1989 |
12,284.3 |
14,597.0 |
2,312.8 |
|
1990 |
12,479.5 |
14,343.0 |
1,863.5 |
|
1991* |
11,916.2 |
13,818.5 |
1,902.3 |
* 1991 figures are for the period January to November only. The December figures are not yet available from the CSO.
As the Deputy will note from the trade figures, Ireland's trade performance has improved steadily over the period. This growth in our trade surplus has been export driven. In the period 1982 to 1991, it is estimated that exports will have risen by 165 per cent while imports for the period will have risen by 90 per cent.
It is estimated that the overall trade surplus for 1991 will represent some 9.5 per cent of GNP. The trade deficit recorded in 1982 represented 9 per cent of GNP.
The annual reports of Córas Tráchtála, now known as An Bord Tráchtála, for all of the years concerned, except 1991, have been laid before the Oireachtas and each contains a detailed commentary on the export performance for the particular year. An Bord Tráchtála's annual report for 1991 will be published later in the year.