asked the Taoiseach the consumer price index figure in 1956 and at the latest available date; and the reason for the increase.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Price Index.
3.
The Consumer Price Index (base August, 1947=100) was 134 at mid-November, 1956 and 192 at mid-May, 1967. With your permission, Sir, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the points increase attributable to each commodity group and to the principal constituent items.
Following is the statement:
POINTS increase in the Consumer Price Index (base August, 1947=100) between mid-November, 1956 and mid-May, 1967, attributable to each commodity group and to the principal constituent items.
|
Commodity group and item |
Points increase |
|
FOOD |
+21.8 |
|
Bread |
+5.9 |
|
Beef |
+3.3 |
|
Milk (corrected for seasonality) |
+2.7 |
|
Butter (creamery) |
+1.6 |
|
Flour |
+1.2 |
|
CLOTHING |
+3.5 |
|
FUEL AND LIGHT |
+1.7 |
|
HOUSING |
+4.6 |
|
SUNDRIES |
+25.6 |
|
Alcoholic drink |
+6.5 |
|
Cigarettes and tobacco |
+6.7 |
|
Education (school fees) |
+2.0 |
|
Public transport |
+1.6 |
|
Papers and magazines |
+1.2 |
|
Admission to cinema |
+1.2 |
|
Domestic service |
+1.1 |
Is it not true that despite the fact that in 1956-57 Fianna Fáil got into power by promising to reduce the cost of living, since that time rents, rates, bus fares and everything else have mounted to an all-time high figure?
The Deputy will be aware that in those years the value of money in Europe fell, in some cases a little more and in some cases a little less than in this country, but the fall here was something approaching the average of the OEEC countries. When our programme for economic expansion really commenced, from 1956 to 1961 we managed to maintain stability for about three years and thereafter we ran into difficulties similar to difficulties which were being experienced in every other country in western Europe. We made known to the country the rules which had to be kept if inflation was to be avoided. If the Deputy would spend more of his time advocating the principles of the full employment report rather than talking nonsense in this House we would get further.