asked the Minister for Finance if he has under consideration any contingency measures to deal with rising inflation; the annual inflation rate now accepted by his Department in the preparation for the 1980 budget; and if he anticipates any moderation in the rate of inflation during 1980.
Written Answers. - Inflation Rate.
399.
I do not contemplate at present introducing further measures to combat inflation. The reference in the Deputy's question to the annual inflation rate accepted by my Department presumably refers to 1979. It now seems likely that the increase in the consumer price index this year will be about 13 per cent. I would hope that the inflation rate will moderate in the course of 1980, but this will depend on international price levels, notably that of oil, and on the level of wage settlements emerging during the currency of National Understanding provisions and subsequently.