asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of a report from the European Commission to the effect that consumer prices in the EEC are continuing to rise; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Price Rises.
41.
The report to which the Deputy refers has not yet been received in my Department. If the Deputy tables the question in a week's time I will be happy to reply.
Can the Minister explain why the report is not available in the Minister's Department although it was available for publication in the Press?
This is not the first time in which documentation regarded and treated by the European Commission as highly confidential has reached the gentlemen of the fourth estate before it reached Government Departments. This is a matter about which we have protested vehemently to the Commission because we think Governments should be given custody of documents at the same time as they are generally released.
Does the Minister not seriously consider that this is an exercise to which the Minister for Foreign Affairs could apply himself?
Hear, hear.
Should he not ensure that incidents of this kind do not recur, to the embarrassment of Members of this House and of the Government?
This is something to which the European Commission should apply themselves. We have complained bitterly about the lack of speed in their communicating documents to us. We have seen the report to which the Deputy has referred and I would draw attention to the fact that the main increases have been in respect of oil and other commodities traded on world markets.
May I ask the Minister to whom will he protest?
I am looking forward to the next meeting of the Finance Ministers.
Since the time the Minister got notice of this question could he not have got a copy of the report?
We have been on the hot line and it still has not arrived.