asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of a recent calculation suggesting that emigration in the 12 months ended November last amounted to at least 57,000; and if he will comment on the accuracy of this calculation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Extent of Emigration.
I am aware of the calculation referred to by the Deputy. I have on several occasions explained in reply to questions by Deputies that it is not possible to prepare reliable estimates of annual emigration, particularly in advance of inter-censal data, and have stated the reasons why this is so. In such circumstances I am not prepared to comment on the accuracy of the calculation in question. It should be noted, however, that the calculation is based on the assumption that the net outward passenger balance by sea and air affords a reliable measure of current net emigration. It is true that for the period from 1951 to 1956 the inter-censal figure for net emigration was almost identical with the net outward passenger balance by sea and air. In earlier periods, however, there was no such concordance between the two sets of figures and there is, therefore, no assurance that the assumption on which the calculation is based is well founded.