asked the Taoiseach if he can give any explanation of the rise of over 35 per cent in imports in October 1963 compared with October 1962.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Increase in Imports.
5.
The Deputy will, of course, appreciate that in such a short period as a single month there are liable to be considerable fluctuations in the value of imports. He will also understand that it is not, at this stage, possible to give a complete analysis of the imports in October. Nevertheless, there were certain exceptional factors which influenced the value of imports last month.
In the first place, there was a labour dispute at the Dublin deep sea docks in September, which lasted over a fortnight and which was responsible for reducing the value of imports cleared in that month and increasing those in October. Furthermore, two large ships, purchased earlier by Irish Shipping Limited, were brought to account in October and, together, they accounted for almost £2 million of the total. There were, in addition, certain other large machinery imports.
In view of the September labour dispute, it would be reasonable in making any comparison with 1962 to relate the aggregate values of imports in the two months September and October in each year. If this is done, the figure for September and October, 1962, was £46.5 million and for the corresponding months in 1963 it was £55.5 million, an increase of £9.0 million or 19 per cent. The monthly average value of imports this year has been 11 per cent greater than the monthly average value for 1962: but the monthly average value of exports this year has been 12 per cent more than the monthly average value for 1962.
Does the Taoiseach not agree that even taking September and October together, as he has done in the reply, it is clear there is still an element of inflation in these figures and more so in the two months than in the single month?
Evidence of increased imports—that is right.
A rose by any other name.