asked the Taoiseach why he has not replied to a telegram sent to him on 15th January concerning a national price freeze.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Living.
10.
I presume that the Deputy has in mind a telegram he addressed to me on the 14th, not the 15th, January last concerning the cost of living and related matters. I had a reply issued to that communication on the 17th January.
I received no reply whatsoever from the Taoiseach. This indicated to me complete indifference on his part as well as on the Government's part to the soaring cost of living especially where poorer people are concerned. I got no reply and I would ask the Taoiseach to investigate this matter further.
I have here a copy of a letter addressed to Dr. John F. O'Connell, TD, 64 Inchicore Road, Dublin 8, dated 17th January, 1972. I will say that it was a good political gimmick, a good imaginative one by the Deputy.
I resent the statement made by the Taoiseach. I received no reply. Otherwise I would not have put down this question. I am wondering why the Taoiseach calls it a political gimmick. It was an attempt to bring down the cost of living or to stabilise it. That is a terrible statement to be made by the Taoiseach. This matter concerns the people in general.
Send a telegram to the newspapers and then I get it a couple of days later! It was well publicised.
I did not send it to the newspapers. I sent it to the Taoiseach.
We cannot discuss this matter. Question No. 11.
A reply was sent to the Deputy. I quoted the date of the reply and I have a copy of the reply here in my file.
I would not have put down a question if I got a reply and I doubt very much that a reply was sent. The Government's indifference with regard to the cost of living is a gimmick.
We cannot discuss the matter.