asked the Taoiseach by what percentage wages, salaries and prices respectively have increased since January, 1970.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Incomes and Prices Increases
5.
The latest information on industrial earnings relates to June, 1972. The index of weekly industrial earnings in transportable goods industries increased by 41.5 per cent between mid-March, 1970, and mid-June, 1972. Between mid-February, 1970, and mid-May, 1972, the consumer price index rose by 22 per cent. A corresponding short-term indicator for salaries is not available.
Minister for Health, Question No. 6.
The Parliamentary Secretary has just gone off and I did not hear the reply. I heard 22 per cent. If the Parliamentary Secretary could be a little more articulate I could, perhaps, understand him. He speaks very badly and it is not easy to understand what he says. The Parliamentary Secretary's attitude—he may not mean it—is one of contempt; he is inclined to treat the House with contempt. He may not mean to but he sounds as if he is treating the House with contempt in his replies to questions.
The Deputy is making a speech.
I have nothing but the highest respect, I want to assure the House, for this institution and it is contempt on the part of the Deputy to make that allegation.
The Parliamentary Secretary may not mean it, but that is the impression he gives.
I may have given the Deputy the impression. I do not need to give that impression. I do not have a continuous fixed smile on my face, like the Deputy, if that is what the Deputy is looking for.
I am calling Question No. 6, to the Minister for Health.
A Cheann Comhairle, could I hear the reply to Question No. 5?
The Deputy was otherwise engaged.
I was not. I was actually writing something down. That is why I am trying to get the information from the Parliamentary Secretary. The reply would only take a second. The information is important.
As soon as the Parliamentary Secretary had replied to Questions Nos. 4 and 5 he jumped up to go up the steps.
This information is important. Sir, could the Parliamentary Secretary give us the reply to Question No. 5?
How do Deputies expect to get through this enormous volume of questions if they behave in this manner.
Sir, might I direct your attention to the fact that you are the custodian of order and Deputies must seek your protection. The Parliamentary Secretary clearly refuses to communicate his reply to a Parliamentary Question and we seek your assistance in endeavouring to extract a full and clearly understandable reply to Parliamentary Questions. This is vital if Parliament is to function properly.
Do you want me to read the reply?
Yes, I think it is desirable that you should.
I am not asking that Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I am asking the present occupant of the Chair, the Ceann Comhairle. Do you want me to repeat the reply?
Yes. The Parliamentary Secretary will repeat the reply.
May I say I have nothing but the greatest respect for your decision? The reply is:
The latest information on industrial earnings relates to June, 1972. The index of weekly industrial earnings in transportable goods industries increased by 41.5 per cent between mid-March, 1970, and mid-June, 1972. Between mid-February, 1970, and mid-May, 1972, the consumer price index rose by 22.0 per cent. A corresponding short-term indicator for salaries is not available.