asked the Taoiseach if he will state, in relation to the goods and services covered by the consumer price index, the proportion of their prices that was represented by VAT, excise duty or other tax element at the latest date for which figures are available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Consumer Price Index.
2.
It is estimated that at mid-August 1977 VAT, excise duty and other tax elements constituted approximately 16.1 per cent of the average cost of the goods and services covered by the consumer price index.
I just want to be clear about this. Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary could help me. Is that an average or can I take it as being the total because obviously some items are more heavily weighted than others? In other words, an average would not necessarily give me the answer I want. Is that the total tax element in the overall CPI figure?
The Deputy asked me the proportion of their prices represented by VAT, excise duty and other tax elements at the latest date. My reply is that VAT, excise duty and other tax elements constitute approximately 16.1 per cent of the average cost of goods and services.
I do not want to be difficult, Sir. I am only trying to straighten this out. Perhaps I could do it privately afterwards. Obviously some of these items are more expensive and are more heavily weighted than others. An average would not there-fore necessarily give me the simple answer to the question of how much of the consumer price index is represented by tax. Perhaps I could take it up privately with the Parliamentary Secretary after Question Time.
16.1 per cent. I am sorry if the reply does not satisfy the Deputy.