asked the Taoiseach if the statistical data used in the White Paper on the Trend of External Trade and Payments, has been compiled by the Central Statistics Office on the same basis as heretofore; and, if not, if he will indicate what changes have been made in the method of compilation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - External Trade and Payments—Statistics.
Apart from any forecasts, the statistical data appearing in the White Paper "Trend of External Trade and Payments, 1951", presented to each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister for Finance, have been derived from material already published by the Central Statistics Office. This published material was prepared on the same basis as heretofore.
Inasmuch as it appears from the discussion yesterday that many particulars in that White Paper are misleading and calculated to mislead, in future will White Papers of that nature be issued by the Statistics Office and not by the Minister for Finance?
That statement is untrue. In the words used by Deputy Costello yesterday, that statement is a lie.
It is a misleading document. That document itself is a lie and is calculated to mislead the people of the country, backed up by the Central Bank.