asked the Minister for Finance the estimated increased cost of milk, butter and bread if the food subsidies are abolished.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Subsidies.
9.
I would refer the Deputy to page 83 of the Green Paper on Development for Full Employment where the approximate value at retail level of the consumer subsidies on the three commodities referred to by him is set out.
Is it not a fact that the estimated increase at between £5 and £7.50 per family of four to seven children is an enormous increase which must inevitably lead to a rise in living costs and fuel inflation if it is introduced?
The correct figures are available where I have indicated them. I do not propose to speculate further.
How does the Minister justify consideration of the phasing out of food subsidies and taxing children's allowances on the one hand and abolishing wealth tax and car tax on the other?
Will the Deputy read the Green Paper? If the Deputy has not done so he should read it and find out.
(Interruptions.)
Why was this not made clear in the manifesto?
We did, as the Deputy will find out in due course.
What about food subsidies?
Question No. 10.
In order to ensure that the Minister does not inadvertently mislead the House, did I hear him correctly in his reply saying that the removal of food subsidies and the taxation of children's allowances were referred to in the Fianna Fáil manifesto?
Is the Deputy trying to pursue the question while I am in the middle of another reply? The Deputy heard my reply and if he does not like it or if he thinks it is wrong it is open to him to put down a question about it and I will deal with it. I have been called on to deal with another question.
I am concerned that the Minister might inadvertently mislead the House. He said, in reply to a supplementary, that the removal of food subsidies and the taxation of children's allowances were in the Fianna Fáil manifesto. That is not true.
There is no question from Deputy Cluskey about this.