asked the Taoiseach if the Government has taken any definite decision to reduce the high cost of living; and, if so, what positive steps are to be taken to bring about the reduction, and when he proposes to make a statement to the Dáil on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Living.
Every effort has been, is being and will be made by the Government to reduce the cost of living, and to secure the co-operation to that end of all sections of the community.
The remission of taxation which was effected by the Government immediately after their entry upon office must in itself have acted as a significant contribution towards reducing the cost of living. In addition to this, constant supervision has been exercised over prices and profits. All possible precautions have been and are being taken by the Minister for Industry and Commerce to ensure that the profits earned by manufacturers' agents, importers and distributors are reasonable having regard to costs. Whenever there is evidence that costs have fallen in any particular industry, steps are taken to secure a reduction in price. The principal consideration which prevents a fall in the general price level is the high cost of imported commodities and raw materials.
During the past six months it has been possible to secure reductions in the prices of a number of commodities and utilities, including hardware and hollow-ware, certain building materials, gas, leather goods, wrapping paper, timber, sugar confectionery, margarine, motor cars and bicycles. Such reductions must have had the effect of reducing the cost of living to a certain extent. In addition, active steps are being taken to secure price reductions in the case of other essential commodities, including clothing.
Retail prices, as indicated by the official cost-of-living index number, have remained steady in recent months; they have fallen slightly during the past year despite rises in wages and in wholesale prices generally. It is known that most countries are planning for increased production during the next few years, so that, under fairly normal conditions, a reduction in prices may reasonably be anticipated. It is by increased production here, also, in agriculture and manufacturing industry, that the most effective contribution towards a reduction in the cost of living can be made.
Will the Taoiseach say if, apart from the items he has mentioned in which there has been some reduction, the Government in the near future will slash the prices of such articles as clothing, boots and beef——
"Slash" is a good word for beef.
And potatoes.
——that are important items in the ordinary household budget?
I could not give any such undertaking as that which the Deputy suggests in his supplementary question——
Will the Taoiseach give any undertaking before the election?
——but the Deputy may be assured that every possible step is being taken by the Government to that end. There are certain factors over which we have no control, such as the import price of goods that must be imported, and the general level of costs entailed thereby. However, in every respect and in every way possible the Government is doing everything that can be done.
The Taoiseach will agree that the appeal to industrialists which was made by the Minister for Finance in his Budget speech, and in other speeches which he has made in this House, has not succeeded and, in those circumstances, will the threat mentioned by the Minister at the time be put into operation?
The Deputy is assuming something which may not be absolutely accurate. We still have hopes that there will be such co-operation between all sections of the community, not merely manufacturers but others as well, as will bring about a substantial reduction in the cost of living.
Will the Taoiseach give some guarantee to carry out the promises made by the Minister for External Affairs that they would slash the cost of living by 30 per cent?
I would give an answer to that question if I thought it was in the least bit sincere.