andMr. Kelly asked the Taoiseach if the increase in the cost of oil delivered to this country has exceeded (a) the cost of living and (b) the increase in industrial wages; and, if so, by what amount in each case.
Written Answers. - Oil Imports.
334.
An import price (unit value) index has been calculated for petroleum and petroleum products and the comparisons sought are as follows for periods from September 1973 and for the latest year.
(a) Comparison with Consumer Price Index:
|
% change in indicator |
||
|
September |
February |
|
|
1973*— |
1979— |
|
|
February |
February |
|
|
1980 |
1980† |
|
|
% |
% |
|
|
Consumer Price Index |
+150 |
+15.5 |
|
“oil price index” |
+842 |
+ 74.9 |
*CPI base is mid-August 1973
†Latest available
(b) Comparison with average weekly industrial earnings:
|
% change in indicator |
||
|
September |
June |
|
|
1973— |
1978— |
|
|
June 1979 |
June 1979† |
|
|
% |
% |
|
|
Average weekly industrial earnings |
+163 |
+12.6 |
|
“oil price index” |
+613 |
+40.9 |
† Latest available
335.
asked the Minister for Energy if Irish imports of oil have increased at a faster rate than those of other EEC member states since 1973, and if so, by how much.
According to statistical publications of the European Communities and the International Energy Agency, the net oil imports of the other EEC member states taken in aggregate decreased by 20 per cent over the period 1973 to 1979. Of course, during this period indigenous EEC production of oil, primarly in the British North Sea sector, increased substantially. Ireland's net oil imports, on the other hand, increased by 15 per cent in the same period.