asked the Taoiseach the total cost of oil imports in the 12 months ended 31 March 1980.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil Imports Cost.
2.
Imports of petroleum and petroleum products amounted to £606 million in the 12 months ended 31 March 1980.
What currency is used by us in purchasing oil?
That is a separate question.
The Deputy would need to table a separate question in order to get that information.
I am asking a question that arises from the Minister's reply.
These are statistical questions and once they are answered that is the end of the matter. It is not usual to ask supplementaries on such questions.
Are we not permitted to ask supplementaries on them?
It is not usual to do so.
I am not inquiring as to what is usual. Would the Minister tell us in what currency we purchase oil? Do we use dollars or sterling for this purpose?
As I have said in the reply, imports of the products concerned amounted to £606 million in the period in question. I presume the reference is to Irish pounds.
What would have been the proper cost of oil if we had not broken with sterling?
That is a separate question.
The Chair agrees that it is a separate question.
Apart from the monetary consideration, the break with sterling was a mistake also in the national interest.
Why must the Deputy insist on being out of order so early in the day?