asked the Taoiseach whether he foresees any decrease in employment in 1973 arising out of this country's entry into the EEC.
7.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Prospects.
6.
asked the Taoiseach whether he foresees any increase in employment in 1973.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
Employment is expected to rise in 1973. It is not possible at this stage to quantify the prospective increase. I would, however, refer the Deputy to the Government's recent White Paper on the Accession of Ireland to the European Economic Community which envisages an average annual increase in employment of over 6,000 in the period 1970-78 with the growth of employment accelerating during that period in line with the tempo of economic expansion.
The Taoiseach has stated that employment is expected to rise in 1973 and that it is not possible at this stage to quantify the increase. Why is it not possible to do this? Is the Taoiseach aware that in 1956 his party issued a circular in which they promised 100,000 new jobs and that they have kept their promise to the Irish people by having 70,000 fewer people at work in today than there were at work in 1956? Can we believe anything the Taoiseach's party tell the country at the present time?
In the words of a commentator, it is a different ball game now.
Are you still sitting idly by? There may be a different man playing with the hurley stick, if that makes a difference.
Getting more goals and points.
I do not know. Time will tell. Some 70,000 unemployed does not show many goals and points.
I am calling Question No. 8.