Vol. 260 No. 14
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of a report (details supplied) that the price of private houses is to be increased due to increased building costs; if he is satisfied that any such price increase is warranted; if any such price increase was sanctioned by the Prices Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
55.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to a report that a serious increase in house prices is being sought; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 54 and 55 together.
I have seen the report in question. From inquiries I have made, it seems that the report was based on the assumption by the writer of the report that the trend of increase in house prices in recent years would be continued in 1972. The report did not indicate that it was related to any specific instances of increases in house prices.
My present powers for the control of house prices under the Prices Acts are limited but as Deputies are aware, the Prices (Amendment) Bill, 1971 the Second Stage of which has been passed by this House, will, when enacted, extend the scope of this control.
In the meantime, I will arrange to have any complaints about these prices that come to my notice investigated by my Department.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether he is satisfied that there will not be the same upward trend in prices this year?
I cannot make any such statement.
By implication, the Parliamentary Secretary has said that there will not be the same upward trend this year.
The Deputy is aware that house prices are affected by a considerable number of factors, for instance, wages and material costs.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the prices are out of all proportion to the normal cost of living?
That is not related to what the Deputy has asked in the question.
Would he not agree to that?
No, I would not.
He is perfectly satisfied there is no enormous increase——
I am not satisfied with anything in this life.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that one of the most potent factors in inflation is the price of housing and that some controls will have to be introduced as a matter of urgency?
As I indicated in the reply, this matter is being considered by the Minister and provision is being made for controls under the Prices (Amendment) Bill which is already before the House.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary think the powers under this will be adequate to deal with the problem?
That is a matter that can be discussed on the Bill.
We cannot discuss legislation.
The Bill has been introduced but the Minister has not given any indication of the form these controls will take.
I think it would be more appropriate to have those questions raised on the Bill.
