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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Unemployed.

Enda Kenny

Question:

1 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the number of people registered as unemployed in County Mayo for each of the past 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The information requested by the Deputy is contained in a statement, which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

Could I ask the Minister of State, to give me the figures for each of the past five months?

It is customary to circulate such figures in the Official Report. However, to facilitate the Deputy I will read them out. The figures are:

1990

September

7,735

October

7,503

November

7,607

December

7,991

1991

January

8,314

February

8,293

March

8,387

April

8,418

May

8,067

June

8,837

July

9,189

August

9,312

September

8,757

October

8,313

November

8,420

December

8,756

1992

January

8,983

February

8,985

Has the Minister taken into account the fact that Governments spent £1.6 billion in the last ten years on the creation of 7,000 net jobs? Are these figures not a clear indication of the Government's abject failure to provide employment for the people of County Mayo? What proposals has the Minister to rectify this position?

The questions tabled by the Deputy are essentially statistical and matters of policy ought not, therefore, arise. They require separate questions.

May I ask——

I am sorry, Deputy, I am proceeding now to your next question.

This House should never deal with people as mere statistics.

No. 2 in the name of the same Deputy.

On the statistical aspect——

Deputy Higgins, I will not allow my ruling to be challenged in this fashion. Question No. 2.

On the question of statistics——

The Deputy should resume his seat. I have called the next question.

May I ask a question in relation to the statistical aspect of this matter? Deputy Kenny has phrased the question with the addendum "and if he will make a statement on the matter".

I have ruled on the matter. As the Deputy knows, it is a long standing practice in this House that in the case or purely statistical questions matters of policy do not arise.

May I put it to you——

Deputy Higgins should resume his seat or leave the House.

May I not comment on the policy——

No, the Deputy should resume his seat.

This is a tragedy.

The Deputy should resume his seat.

This is a disaster.

This House should never treat people as mere statistics.

I am sure if the questions were put down in a different way they would be answered.

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