asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to an address made by the Minister for Lands to the Castlebar Association in London, in which he is reported as stating that inflation was causing increased unemployment and that production was lagging behind pay increases; and if it represents the views of the Government.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Address by Minister for Lands.
23.
The statement by the Minister for Lands referred to in the question represents the views of the Government. The Government have repeatedly stressed in recent years that rates of increase in earnings in excess of the growth of national production tend to cause inflationary cost and price increases and lessen competitiveness. To the extent that competitiveness declines there is an automatic reduction of the industrial employment which would otherwise be available.
Rapid inflation is a problem here and elsewhere. As pointed out in the Minister's address we in Ireland are making a determined and sustained effort to fight the economic evils which it brings.
Can the Minister reconcile that statement with the statement of a former Taoiseach, Mr. Lemass, that he would guarantee 100,000 new jobs?
That is a different matter.
I think it is the same matter.
Is the Deputy asking me to reconcile chalk and cheese or what is he talking about?
Is that not what you have been doing?
The Labour Party are away ahead of us in that.
(Interruptions.)
There is increasing unemployment and is it not a fact that Mr. Lemass promised 100,000 new jobs?
First of all, he did not promise that and, secondly, there is no connection between the two statements.
(Interruptions.)