asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will give a breakdown of the recent increase in the price of cement, indicating the portions of the increase attributable to the various factors involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cement Price.
35.
The recent increase in the price of cement is attributable to increases in the cost of wages and allied costs arising from the recent wages settlement, to increases in freight charges and to increases in the costs of repair materials, electric power, paper sacks and other overheads.
Since the price increases implemented are intended to compensate for only about 63 per cent of the total increased costs arising in Drogheda and 83 per cent of the total increased costs arising in Limerick, it is not feasible to give a breakdown of the increases or to indicate the portions of the increase attributable to the various factors involved.
Can the Minister tell the House how he made up his mind that the increase was only 63 per cent or 83 per cent, or that it was a reasonable increase, if he has no breakdown himself?
Overall it was a price increase to compensate for 63 per cent of the total increased costs.
How does the Minister know that?
From the officials of my Department checking into the justification for the increases as presented by Cement Limited.
Is it not a fact that the Minister is accepting what Cement Limited are telling him, that this covers only 63 per cent in Drogheda and 83 per cent in Limerick?
No.
Where are the figures? I have asked for a breakdown and the Minister should have a breakdown in his Department.
I have explained to the Deputy that it is impossible to give a breakdown which is a breakdown of only 63 per cent of the cost.
Why?
How does one pick out——
How did the Minister arrive at 63 per cent or 83 per cent if he had not got a breakdown?
By taking from the total increased cost the increase which was transferred to the price of cement. The increase put on the price of cement was 63 per cent in the Drogheda case and 83 per cent in the Limerick case.
Let us face it. I checked again since yesterday and we have the dearest cement in Europe, and cement here is dearer than it is in England. Again the Minister must be accepting what he is getting from Cement Limited in relation to some prices.
If the Deputy would give the House the basis for his claim that might be helpful.
Can the Minister tell the House where he got his figures?
From the checking conducted in my Department.
From Cement Limited. Admit it.
Not at all.
Has the Minister got a breakdown of that figure?
I have explained the position.
Has the Minister got a breakdown?
He should have.
I have.
Why not give it to the House?
I have just explained.
Will the Minister read out the breakdown to the House?
Question No. 36.
A Cheann Comhairle, the Minister has now told the House that he has got a breakdown of this figure and that he is not giving it to us.
I have given it in my reply in so far as the overall increase was brought about by the increases in the cost of wages.
We know the items. Give us what each was put on.
In relation to the actual recent increase it will have to be a proportionate breakdown of 63 per cent and I do not think one can give an actual breakdown of a percentage of the overall.
Would the Minister not agree that if he puts the 37 per cent in Drogheda which is not being met by the increase to one side and gives a breakdown of the remainder, that would meet the wishes of the House?
Which section of the 37 per cent do I leave aside in the breakdown?
The company are carrying 37 per cent and therefore the amount of money by which they have been allowed to increase the commodity, broken up among the remainder of the increased costs, should give us what is being sought.
I have no breakdown of the 63 per cent.
The dearest cement in Europe because of the monopoly that is given.
(Interruptions.)