asked the Taoiseach the estimated food imports into this country for each year between 1977 and 1983.
Questions—Ceisteanna. Oral Answers. - Food Imports.
3.
Dún Laoghaire): Imports of food for human consumption were valued at £264 million in 1977, £270 million in 1978, £318 million in 1979, £425 million in 1980, £523 million in 1981, £524 million in 1982 and £579 million in 1983.
Has the Minister in his brief the breakdown between fresh and frozen foods as far as the figure of £579 million for last year is concerned?
(Dún Laoghaire): I do not have the breakdown between fresh and frozen foods. I have a list of the different types of foodstuffs imported that make up the £579 million I mentioned. I can arrange for that tabular statement to be circulated.
Will the Minister give me details of the breakdown he has, the countries of origin and the estimated cost involved?
(Dún Laoghaire): That is a separate question and I do not have that information. I was asked about the estimated food imports for each year between 1977 and 1983.
Will the Minister give me the breakdown of the categories he has said he has? That information would be useful and, perhaps, the Minister will let me have the other information at his convenience.
(Dún Laoghaire): Meat and meat preparations for 1983 — is that the year the Deputy is inquiring about?
For the last two years.
(Dún Laoghaire): Meat and meat preparations for 1982, £40.6 million, in 1983, £51.9 million; dairy products and birds eggs——
Not Easter eggs?
(Dún Laoghaire): The Deputy is learning all the time. This is fantastic information. In 1982 the figure was £31.2 million and in 1983 £37 million; fish, crustaceans and molluscs and preparations thereof, 1982 £25.5 million, 1983 £27.1 million; cereal and cereal preparations, 1982 £129.6 million, 1983 £160 million; fruit and vegetables, 1982 £149.2 million, 1983 £146.2 million; sugar, sugar preparations and honey — excluding molasses — 1982 £36.2 million, 1983 £36.4 million; coffee, tea and cocoa, 1982 £76.7 million, 1983 £81.9 million; miscellaneous edible products and preparations, 1982 £34.9 million, 1983 £38.7 million.
Would the Minister agree that this is an entirely unsatisfactory situation for an agricultural country? Perhaps he would tell the House if he or the Government have taken any steps to bring about a situation where this country would not be importing £600 million worth of foodstuffs into a country which is supposed to be an agricultural country?
The Deputy asked a statistical question and the question of policy or steps to be taken does not arise.
You will agree that this raises a fundamental question for an agricultural country. The Minister of State might have some light to throw on the matter.
No doubt the Deputy will use this information to best advantage in the appropriate place at an appropriate time. Question No. 4.
Before the weekend is over.
(Dún Laoghaire): Exports for 1983 were £1,467.9 million.
I did not ask for that figure but I am delighted to get it.