andMr. G. Lynch asked the Taoiseach by what percentage the cost of living index has increased between 31st March, 1969, and 31st March, 1972.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Living Index.
1.
The consumer price index rose by 27.3 per cent between mid-February, 1969, and mid-February, 1972. The index is calculated in respect of mid-February, mid-May, mid-August and mid-November.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary state if there was any three-year period since the war in which a comparable increase has been noticed?
I do not have the particulars the Deputy seeks but if the Deputy puts down a separate question I will give him the information he requires.
I do not think that will be necessary. I can tell the Parliamentary Secretary that there was no such period.
Why does the Deputy ask a question then?
I just wondered if the Parliamentary Secretary knew. This is record inflation.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that if we have the same record increase in prices in the coming year the increases which have been announced in the budget will not even compensate the unfortunate people for the rapid increase in the cost of living? This has been continuing for the past three years and it is still increasing.
I want to assure Deputies that no such increases are anticipated in the coming year.
They will come whether Fianna Fáil anticipate them or not. It is part of their policy.
If and when the national wage agreement is concluded, the situation will be better than ever.
The Government have just admitted that the consumer price index rose by 27.3 per cent.
There was a time when the cost of living was going down——
The unemployment figures are not going down. Unemployment is reaching an all-time record.
The Parliamentary Secretary has said that the Government do not anticipate an increase in the coming year. May I ask him if the Government anticipated the increase of 27.3 per cent?
This is the kind of argument that is used by the coalitionists and by the Labour Party in their campaign against entry into the Common Market. Any kind of figure will do for them.
We cannot debate this question all afternoon. I am calling Question No. 2.