asked the Taoiseach the steps being taken by the Government to rectify the adverse trade balance as indicated by the recently published trade returns for April.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade Balance Rectification.
4.
For the third successive month the import excess in April last was lower than in the corresponding month of 1971. Over the three months, February to April inclusive, the import excess was £27½ million lower than the corresponding 1971 total. Export expansion has been mainly responsible for this favourable trend.
The Government are taking every step possible to expand markets abroad for our goods not only with a view to further reducing the gap in merchandise trade but in the interests of increasing production and providing greater opportunities for employment.
Can the Taoiseach state how far the increase in exports will go towards offsetting the loss of tourist revenue in the current year?
That is a separate question.
That is a matter of detail. The Deputy might like to put down a question.