asked the Taoiseach whether the speech concerning this country's economic condition delivered by the Minister for Education in Cork on 17th February, 1958, represented Government policy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Minister's Cork Speech.
From the reports that I have seen of the speech to which the Deputy refers, it is clear that, in that speech, the Minister for Education did not purport to state any Government policy: his aim was, rather, to emphasise certain facts that it is essential to bear in mind in any consideration of the present economic position.
In his speech, the Minister pointed out, for example, that wage increases that are not matched by increased productivity would inevitably result in increased production costs, leading to reduced capacity to export and to a decrease in employment. Further, that any increase in the cost of local-authority services could only mean extra demands on the ratepayers and, in turn, on the Exchequer, thus adding to an already difficult budgetary situation. And, finally, that it is impossible to reconcile the widespread demands for increased grants, allowances, salaries and services with the equally widespread general call for decreased Government expenditure; and that, in the face of all the demands that are being made, it would be difficult to hold Government spending at its present level—much less to reduce it. These are all statements of evident facts that cannot be too often repeated.