Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if current trends in respect of imports reflect goods previously produced within this economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15787/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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In 2006 Ireland's total merchandise imports were valued at €60.4bn. The major categories of such imports were, in descending order, Computers (€10.4bn), Road vehicles (€4bn), Electrical machinery (€3.8bn), Petroleum and related products (€3.7bn), Miscellaneous manufactured articles €3bn), Medicinal and Pharmaceutical products (€2.2bn) and Telecommunications and Sound Equipment(€2.1bn).

In relation to some of these categories, it should be appreciated, that while many of these also feature in our exports, there is a pattern of semi-finished goods moving into and out of the country, as different processes are undertaken and as components are assembled. The fact that we are significant importers of the same goods in respect of which we are also major exporters, is a normal feature of globalised trading patterns.

It is true that there are other goods in the lower value — added sectors where Ireland is not as competitive as heretofore and such products are imported to a greater extent than in the past. However this trend is far outweighed by the very strong level of exports in the higher value added sectors of the economy, particularly in knowledge-based activities.