asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he is consulted before any major price increase affecting the public is made by any of the semi-State bodies for which he is responsible.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Increases in Semi-State Bodies.
28.
Semi-State bodies for which I am responsible consult me regarding major price increases affecting the public. Where necessary I report to the Government in the light of the relevant facts.
Does the Minister wage the same relentless war against price increases as he does against wage increases in other parts of the economy?
I never waged any war against wage increases but I have said what has been expressed in the Full Employment Report, on which nine trade unionists were represented. Over a period of five years we could probably achieve a higher rate or standard of living if the rules were more closely obeyed. The workers in family units would be earning more and would be able to spend more. I have never waged any war against the standard of living of workers. The Deputy is reading only about one-half of any speech I made. He is quite clearly seeing the alternative that presents itself to this community which is being propagandised by the Labour Socialist Government of Great Britain or other Labour Governments or Left-of-Centre Governments in Europe.
Is the Minister telling us that that Report for Full Employment is still the official policy of this Government? Is the Minister stating that is still the programme?
The conditions under which the Report for Full Employment operates are not a matter for Government action alone. They are a matter of voluntary agreement by the public.