asked the Taoiseach the average overall price increases in each of the last five years and this year to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price Increases.
5.
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the consumer price index numbers. With your permission, Sir, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the percentage increase on the previous year in the consumer price index for each of the years 1965 to 1969 and the percentage to date for 1970 based on the average of the February and May figures.
Following is the statement:
Percentage increase on the previous year in the consumer price index (average of four quarterly figures)
|
Percentage increase on previous year |
|
|
% |
|
|
1965 |
5.0 |
|
1966 |
3.0 |
|
1967 |
3.2 |
|
1968 |
4.7 |
|
1969 |
7.4 |
|
1970 |
5.6(a) |
(a) Based on average of February and May 1970 index numbers.
I suggest to the House that these are not proper replies to the questions.
Knowing the capacity, which is recognised by everyone, of the Parliamentary Secretary to speak audibly in the House, I wonder if he would be good enough now to speak audibly and not to adopt the practice of so many of his colleagues in Fianna Fáil of talking in such a way that the replies cannot be heard.
In reply to that, may I say that while I was replying Deputy O'Donovan was speaking to the Chair, having been ruled out of order by the Chair?
(Interruptions.)
On a point of order——
I am prepared to reply when I am allowed to do so.
Deputy Ryan has asked a supplementary. Would Deputy O'Donavan please resume his seat until the Parliamentary Secretary has answered that supplementary? The Deputy will then be allowed to put a question.
On a point of order, on Questions Nos. 3 and 4 I said that the replies were not proper to what should be said in this House. I do not see why I should be ruled out of order for rising on a point of order to what the Parliamentary Secretary said. He did not answer the questions at all.
The questions were well answered. The statistics set out are in addition to the reply. If there are any facets of these statistics which the Deputy wishes to query, he has an obligation to put down a question.
The Parliamentary Secretary did not answer the questions.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be so good as to repeat the answer to Question No. 5?
Yes, if Deputy O'Donovan will allow me to do so.
This is too bloody smart.
Deputies
Chair.
I raised a point of order in relation to the answers to Questions Nos. 3 and 4.
The Deputy is being disorderly. He is interrupting the Parliamentary Secretary who is answering a question put down by a Deputy.
I raised a point of order in regard to Questions Nos. 3 and 4 because the replies were given in the slick fashion to which we have become accustomed from the people on the other side of the House. I do not agree with that sort of thing.
On a point of order, Deputy O'Donovan's interventions are known for their perspicacity, and would not the Chair agree that his query and his doubts in relation to this matter are fair?
I do not wish to make matters worse, but I must say that we are entitled at least to hear the reply even if it is only saying that the figures are to be included in the Official Report. On a point of order, I do not think it is right for somebody to mumble something across the floor of the House even if that somebody is a nice fellow like the Parliamentary Secretary.
I replied to the question. If Deputy Tully or Deputy O'Donovan insists on speaking while I am replying, there is nothing I can do about it.
I did not interrupt the Parliamentary Secretary while he was replying. I interrupted him when he proceeded to reply to the next question.
We cannot have a debate. Will the Deputy please resume his seat and allow Questions to continue? He is being disorderly. Question No. 5.
I have already replied to that question but I will do so again. The following is the reply to Question No. 5:—
It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the consumer price index numbers. With your permission, Sir, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the percentage increase on the previous year in the consumer price index for each of the years 1965 to 1969 and the percentage to date for 1970 based on the average of the February and May figures.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be good enough to give us the six figures requested?
These will be circulated with the Official Report. They are based on the percentage increase on the previous year and are: 1965, 5 per cent; 1966, 3 per cent; 1967, 3.2 per cent; 1968, 4.7 per cent; 1969, 7.4 per cent; 1970, 5.6 per cent. The last figure is based on the average of February and May, 1970.
Up to now.
Táimíd sásta anois.