asked the Taoiseach the increase in the consumer price index for the year 1970.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Price Index.
1.
The yearly average of the consumer price index for the year ended November, 1970, was 8.2 per cent above that for the previous year.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this must be the highest increase in the consumer price index since the State was established?
This does not arise on the question, which is a statistical one, and we cannot have a debate on it.
I have only said about ten words. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the average increase in the consumer price index in the EEC countries during the same period was in the region of 5 per cent? If these are countries to which we will want to export, how do the Government expect industry to compete with this kind of inflation?
The Deputy may not pursue this question.
If the Deputy wants this information he should put down another question and he will get the truth.
The consumer price index has risen by 8.2 per cent and the Parliamentary Secretary will not answer a supplementary question. It is disgraceful.