asked the Taoiseach the number of persons unemployed in January, 1957 and in January, 1967.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Number of Unemployed.
5.
The numbers on the Live Register at the end of January in 1957 and 1967 were 94,648 and 64,219 respectively. These figures are not comparable owing to the changes in the content of the Live Register introduced in January, 1966. Claimants to unemployment benefit were not affected by the changes introduced and the numbers in this category for the same dates were 58,285 and 42,137 respectively.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary tell us the number of people in employment now?
I will, if you put down a question to that effect.
Have you the figure for 1947 handy?
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if the figures in 1957 were the highest ever recorded?
Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree that there were at one time 150,000 people unemployed under Fianna Fáil and that over 400,000 people have emigrated since 1957? There are 77,000 fewer in employment now than in 1957.
That is nonsense.
It is not nonsense: the figures are there—77,000 fewer in employment now.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the question is a typical example of Fianna Fáil political dishonesty?
I do not agree with that at all. I do not know what you mean.