asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the reason for the increases of (a) 44.7 per cent in the price of galvanised corrugated sheet iron and (b) 78.2 per cent in the price of raw steel bars, angles and flats; if these increases together with the substantial increases in timber prices are a threat to the building programme; and if he will make a statement on the consequences for employment in the building and allied trades.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Building Materials.
20.
At the beginning of the present month, I informed Irish Steel Holdings Ltd. that I would raise no objection to an increase of £40 per ton in their prices for galvanised sheet to compensate for the increased cost of imported raw materials; this is equivalent to a price increase of 41.6 per cent. There has been no increase in the firm's prices for steel bars and sections since December last. Importers of steel and of timber are not required to notify me of increases in their prices to compensate for increased landed costs of these goods, provided there is no increase in their margins. I am not aware that increases in the prices of steel or of timber present a threat to the building industry or to employment in that or associated industries.
Would the Minister not agree that the cost of building a house is likely to go up by £500 or £600 in the very near future as a result of the VAT increase and of these increases?
This question has very little meaning because one could pick any figure out of the air. It depends entirely on the cost of the house. The Deputy is aware that price increases arise from increases in prices which originate outside the State and over which we have no control.
Question No. 21.
If I am building a house it does not matter to me what the reason is. I am just staling that the cost of the house will go up.
I am anxious to help the Deputy but he must assist the Chair by asking a supplementary question.
It is relevant.
It must be an all steel house.
Arising out of the Minister's reply that increases were outside the Government's control, how does he reconcile that statement with his statements and those of his colleagues prior to the general election that all prices were within the control of the former Government?
Who said that?
It is not a very serious question but it deserves a serious answer all the same.
It is a very serious question.
It is a ridiculous and tendentious question.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
A distinction was made absolutely clearly between prices which are controllable for goods which originate inside the State, and prices for goods which originate outside the State. With regard to goods from outside the State——
Since the election.
——we have the simple choice of saying either : "We will not import them", in which case you put people out of work or : "We will import them", and pay the increase.
He will try to wriggle out of it. Ciall cheannaithe.
Is the Minister in his last reply stating that the increase in prices is not a serious issue, or does he want the people of this country——
The Deputy must relate his supplementary to the question under debale.
Surely the Minister stated that?
The record shows the Minister stated the question deserved a serious answer although it was a foolish and tendentious one.
The record also shows what the Minister said before the election.