asked the Taoiseach if he will consider the desirability of having an index prepared, and published periodically, in respect of gross or net profits of undertakings engaged in the production of transportable goods.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Profits from Transportable Goods.
Particulars of the profits, as defined for national income purposes, of concerns engaged in the production of transportable goods are not available, and therefore the compilation of an index of the type suggested by the Deputy is not feasible. The Central Statistics Office is, however, investigating, in the light of the information now available to it, what extra data on the remuneration of the various factors of production it will be possible to give in the next issue of the Statistical Survey, and I would ask the Deputy to await the result of that inquiry.
It is not clear what the Deputy wishes to have included in the term "gross profit", but there are regularly available for each industry particulars of the value of gross output, as well as of the cost of materials, fuel, packing cases, etc., materials for repairs, and of the amounts paid to other firms for work done as well as the expenditure on wages and salaries.