asked the Taoiseach the percentage increase in the consumer price index from mid-February, 1968.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Price Index.
3.
The consumer price index with base mid-August, 1953, as 100 rose from 157.5 at mid-February, 1968, to 175.1 at mid-November, 1969, or by 11.2 per cent. The mid-November figure is the latest available.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if he would indicate the extent to which this substantial increase may be attributed to the failure of the Government to implement an incomes and prices policy?
The increase outlined is in line with similar increases in many other countries throughout the world, as the Deputy is aware.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary pass this information on to the Fianna Fáil candidate in Dublin South West? The people there are very anxious——
You will see him here next week when he is brought up to be introduced to the Ceann Comhairle.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary inform us in respect of such commodities as meat and butter, enjoyed every day by the constituents of Dublin South West, if he considers increases in the region of 15 per cent over the past two years in the prices of such essential living commodities as a satisfactory performance on the part of the Government, particularly in the field of price surveillance and general price supervision in the country? Are the Government so complacent as to think that a family can live in South West Dublin on £18 a week and have meat every day?
There is full employment, which was not there when you were in.
My experience of Dublin South West is that there are not the difficulties set out by Deputy Desmond. Things are very prosperous in Dublin South West and it is not thanks to the Labour Party that they are so.
It was unfortunate——
The Deputy may not make a speech. Question No. 4.