Jim Higgins
Question:1 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach the import/export figures for vegetables for each of the years from 1988 to 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vegetable Imports-Exports.
The information requested by the Deputy for the years 1988 to 1992 is given in the following table. Complete information is not yet available for 1993. I am proposing to read out the year, give the figures for imports in tonnes and then the monetary value. I will then give the figures for exports in the same manner.
Imports and Exports of Vegetables (including potatoes)
|
Year |
Imports |
Exports |
Net Imports |
||
|
Tonnes |
£000 |
Tonnes |
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
1988 |
221,982 |
68,698 |
52,414 |
30,270 |
38,428 |
|
1989 |
286,886 |
80,190 |
51,055 |
40,245 |
39,945 |
|
1990 |
258,445 |
79,593 |
59,469 |
48,268 |
31,325 |
|
1991 |
248,743 |
86,798 |
61,548 |
46,798 |
40,000 |
|
1992 |
282,353 |
85,003 |
48,092 |
43,596 |
41,407 |
*N.B. It should be noted that commodity detail from external trade statistics may be understated due to the non-inclusion of Low Value Trade, trade through Shannon Free Airport and trade through Parcel Post.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I know we cannot get into policy issues during Question Time but the figures speak for themselves. They represent another lost opportunity and call into question the work of An Bord Glas in this regard.
We now proceed to deal with questions nominated for priority to the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications. Let us not forget the time limit associated with priority questions.