asked the Taoiseach if he will specify the percentage drop in the purchasing value of the Irish pound since 11 December 1979.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Value of Irish Pound .
4.
: Estimates of the percentage change in the domestic purchasing value of the Irish pound are based on the percentage change in the consumer price index. It is estimated that the purchasing value of the Irish pound fell by 12.8 per cent between mid-November 1979, the date nearest to 11 December for which the consumer price index was calculated, and mid-August 1980, the latest date for which the index is available.
: May I take it that for the nine months period there was a fall of 12 per cent in the value of the Irish pound on the domestic market, which would be the equivalent of 16 per cent——
: Deputy, a question, please.
: I have asked am I to understand that. Is that correct?
: What is the question, again, please?
: Am I to understand from the Minister's reply that over the nine month period the fall in the value of the Irish pound on the domestic scene was 12 per cent and that this reflects an average fall in the value of the púnt over the past year of 16 per cent or more?
: I am saying that the fall was 12.8 per cent over the period I gave.
: The Minister does not understand my question.
: It is very hard to understand the Deputy.
: Is the Minister aware that there has been a most serious drop in the value of the Irish pound since the election of the present Taoiseach to office? Is that due to the fact that the Taoiseach has not got the confidence of the people? Would that be the reason why the Irish Ambassador last Sunday morning——
: That is a statement. That is not a question.
: Could the Taoiseach tell us why the Irish Ambassador had to call last Sunday morning to 10 Downing Street?
: That has nothing to do with this question.
: Was it on account of the statement made by Deputy Síle de Valera, or was it due to the depreciation of the Irish pound?
: Question No. 5.
: The Minister cannot answer the question. He is running away from it now.