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Dáil Éireann - Volume 322 - 11 June, 1980 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil Imports Cost. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte 2. Mr. Harte asked the Taoiseach the total cost of oil imports in the 12 months ended 31 March 1980. Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. Moore) Séan Moore Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. Moore): Imports of petroleum and petroleum products amounted to £606 million in the 12 months ended 31 March 1980. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: What currency is used by us in purchasing oil? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: That is a separate question. Mr. Moore Mr. Moore 240 [240] Mr. Moore: The Deputy would need to table a separate question in order to get that information. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: I am asking a question that arises from the Minister's reply. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: 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. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: Are we not permitted to ask supplementaries on them? An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: It is not usual to do so. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: 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? Mr. Moore Mr. Moore Mr. Moore: 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. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: What would have been the proper cost of oil if we had not broken with sterling? Mr. Moore Mr. Moore Mr. Moore: That is a separate question. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: The Chair agrees that it is a separate question. Mr. Harte Mr. Harte Mr. Harte: Apart from the monetary consideration, the break with sterling was a mistake also in the national interest. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sean Browne An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Why must the Deputy insist on being out of order so early in the day? Dáil Éireann 322 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Oil Imports Cost. Questions 19800611
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