asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the rate of inflation in Ireland is higher than in most other European countries; and what steps he is taking to control this inflation and so protect employment, especially in the exporting industries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rate of Inflation.
58.
From my replies to previous questions on this subject and other statements made by me in the House, the Deputy must be aware of my concern with inflationary trends here and their effect on competitiveness and opportunities for employment in exporting industries. As I indicated in my reply to a similar question on 17th June, 1971, Government policy to contain inflation operates in three main areas, that is, the National Pay Agreement, budgetary policy as outlined in my Financial Statement on 28th April, 1971, and the price control measures to which added effect was given by the establishment of the National Prices Commission on 15th October, 1971.
The results of these measures are reflected in the deceleration in the rate of increase in consumer prices in the second half of 1971. In November, 1971, the consumer price index showed an annual increase of 8.6 per cent as compared with 10.0 per cent in November, 1970. If restraint is exercised in income increases, the continuation of the Government's policies should effect a further reduction in the rate of inflation in 1972.
I am aware of what Government policy is, but is the Minister aware that Government policy is not effective?
No.
I am telling him it is.
It is not.
The fact that there are now 78,000 people unemployed is an indication of the ineffectiveness of Government policy in relation to the protection of employment, especially in exporting industries. Is the Minister aware that in my constituency of Waterford the redundancy figure has reached a total of 500 people redundant, or about to become redundant, and this is the shocking figure for one city in Ireland with a population of 30,000? It is a sad reflection on Government policy.
If the Deputy regards the figures for unemployment as a serious indictment of Government policy how would he rate the assessment of Government policy which arose when his party was in power? How would he assess that?
Deputies
Rubbish.
How would he assess that and that at a time when there was not a penny, not a penny, for anyone who was redundant?
We did not manipulate the figures. Fianna Fáil manipulated the unemployment figures by taking a number off the register and stopping the dole for others. They falsified the figures.
The inter-Party Government had 90,000 unemployed and they did not pay a penny to redundant workers. How would Deputies opposite, particularly Deputy Collins, assess that as an assessment of Government policy? How would Deputy Collins assess that?
The Minister is on a bad wicket there and blooming well he knows it.
I think it is obvious now how bad the wicket they are on is.
It is a lot worse now than it has ever been since the war.
I am asking the Minister a question. The economic situation in 1956 was such that it led to a balance of payments of minus £35 million and the coalition Government went to the country with dignity. In the last three years the Minister's party has lifted it to £200 million in your name and the Minister has not got the honour or dignity to go to the country.
Acting Chairman
The Deputy may not make a speech.
May I draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that, when he is discussing the record of his own party's Government, he talks about the economic circumstances then obtaining but, a few moments ago, when he was putting a question to me about the balance of payments in 1966 and '67 he tried to relate it to the current situation and to ignore what changes have occurred in the economic circumstances.
The Minister had no Suez crisis to deal with.
We have a world recession to deal with.
Rubbish. Who told the Minister to say that? Where did he get that rubbish?
Acting Chairman
Order. The Chair must insist that we cannot have a debate across the floor of the House at Question Time. Question No. 59.
I am asking for the right to reply to the statement, question or interjection by Deputy Cosgrave.
Which is out of order.
I would suggest to Deputy Cosgrave that, when he says such things as that the economic situation and the unemployment situation here is due to the Government looking over its shoulder——
At each other. You cannot carry the referendum without us. You are now attacking yourself.
——was Mr. Heath looking over his shoulder at his own party or at the Fianna Fáil Party or was President Nixon looking over his shoulder at his own party or at the Fianna Fáil Party or how does he explain——
The Minister is looking over his shoulder at Deputy Haughey.
Acting Chairman
Order.
——what happened in those countries?
Will the Minister conduct himself? He is paid to answer questions. Does he know he is paid to answer questions, not to shout? Answer the question.
I think it is Deputy Cosgrave who is doing a bit of shouting.
Sit down. The Minister is out of order.
Acting Chairman
Order.
I think the country is entitled to expect——
Do not get excited now.
——a little more responsibility from the leader of the Fine Gael Party.
Ask Deputy Haughey what he thinks about his Minister for Finance?
Acting Chairman
Order.
What he thinks is not printable. What Deputy Haughey thinks of the Minister for Finance is not printable.
Acting Chairman
Order. This would be much more appropriate in an economic debate. It is not appropriate at Question Time and we must now proceed with Questions.
It would be much more appropriate if the Minister would answer the questions he is asked.