Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 1991

Vol. 409 No. 9

Written Answers. - Export Statistics.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

76 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the value of all our exports for the years between 1987 and 1990; the comparative figures for the years between 1982 and 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. O'Malley)

The following are the details supplied by the Central Statistics Office in relation to exports for the years concerned.

	1987 - 1990
	£Million
1987	10,723.5
1988	12,304.8
1989	14,597.0
1990	14,343.0

	1982 - 1985
	£Million
1982	5,691.4
1983	6,943.8
1984	8,897.5
1985	9,743.0

There has been a continuous surplus on our balance of trade since 1985. The late eighties showed considerable export growth and while a decline in the value of exports took place in 1990 primarily as a result of severe economic difficulties in some of our major markets, export volume increased by 5 per cent for the year. Irish exporters in 1991 will also be competing in a more difficult environment, but at this stage, exports are expected to approach £15 billion in value.

The annual reports of Córas Tráchtála for all of the years concerned, except 1990, have been laid before the Oireachtas and each contains a detailed commentary on the export performance for the particular year. CTT's annual report for 1990 will be published later in the year.