Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 693: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the countries from which Ireland has imported most in the past 12 months; and the countries which have shown growth in this area in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25991/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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According to figures published by the Central Statistics Office, Ireland imports goods and services from over 200 country locations. The latest import figures, for which 12 monthly figures are available, are in respect of the year ended 31 December 2004.

The information requested has been forwarded to the Deputy. The table provides a list of the top 12 countries from which Ireland has imported most during 2004. It also provides comparisons with 2003 figures. With the exception of the USA and Japan, where imports declined slightly in 2004 compared with 2003 figures, imports from the remaining ten ranked countries increased in 2004.

In 2004, Ireland had an overall trade surplus — exports over imports — of almost €35 billion. Our consistently favourable trade balance, given the global economic slowdown in recent years, reflects very creditably on Irish exporters. It should also be noted that a proportionate increase in imports over the period, particularly raw materials, is very often an indication of increased economic activity leading to a corresponding increase in exports in the longer term.