asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of national income spent by the State in the Budget each year from 1968 to 1971 inclusive; and the reasons for the increase.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Income.
36.
I assume that the Deputy wants Government current expenditure related to Gross National Product—that is to say, the aggregate used for the percentages shown in table II of the Current Budget Tables. The estimated percentage for each of the years 1968-69 to 1971-72 is—26.6, 27.8, 29.8 and 30.2.
The main reason for the increase is the greater outlay under the heads of education, social welfare, health, service of public debt and agriculture.
The Minister must know that his answer is incorrect. National income is not GNP.
I know that.
Well, why did the Minister not answer the question correctly?
If the Deputy listened he would know that I said I assumed that that was what the Deputy wanted because the other form that appeared to be requested is not very usual and I was trying to be helpful to the Deputy.
In not answering his question.
Come off it. Deputy L'Estrange asked what percentage of the national income was spent by the State.
It is Deputy L'Estrange's question. Let him say what he wants.
It was the percentage of the national income I wanted.
Can the Deputy explain what he means——
Will the Minister give the answer to the question I asked?
He does not know the answer.
A Deputy
Who put down the question for the Deputy?
Any question I put down is put down by myself and I never threw a glass at anybody in a hotel or anything like that.
(Interruptions.)
Will the Minister give me the answer to the question——
As asked.
——as asked and then I will put a supplementary question if necessary.
There is an enormous difference. The answer the Minister gave suits his purpose but it does not answer the question.
It makes the figure look smaller.
It is, of course, the normal method by which this calculation is made not only in this country but in other countries also as Deputies know. I assumed this was what Deputy L'Estrange had in mind.
That information was available for the past year or two and I could have got it by looking up the documents.
If the Deputy wants the information based on national income and if he puts down a question I will give it to him in that form.
What is it? Over 40 per cent?
Well over 40 per cent.
It is 43 per cent or 45 per cent.
Question No. 37.