asked the Taoiseach what percentage increase in the consumer price index took place in the three years ended 1961; and what percentage increase will have taken place in the three years ended 1971 if no further increase takes place in the index between August and November, 1971.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Price Index.
4.
The yearly average of the consumer price index for the year ended November, 1961, was 3.2 per cent above the corresponding 1958 figure. If no increase took place between August and November, 1971, the yearly average for 1971 would be 26.0 per cent above the 1968 figure.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say, in the light of his reply to this question, why he replied in the negative to a supplementary question of mine last week when I asked him was he aware that the increase in this three-year period was nine times what it was in the previous three-year period? Do the figures he has now given not confirm that?
I did not reply in the negative.
The Parliamentary Secretary said: "No. Sir."
I did not. The Deputy is doing his balancing act once more. What I did say, and I remember it clearly, was that I did not have the figures in front of me and I could not give a reply to the Deputy's question.
He said "No".
In that sense the answer to the question was in the negative.
I asked him if he was aware of this and he said "No".
I positively did not say no.
The record shows he did.
I asked him if there had been an increase in the last three years and he told me definitely "No".
I said positively——
He said "No" very positively.
I certainly did not, and the Deputy can look at the record. The record is an ascertainable fact.
Also an alterable fact.