Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:11 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if a permanent change has been made regarding the day on which the Central Statistics Office publish the monthly unemployment figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Monthly Unemployment Figures.
As I already announced in a statement arising from the alleged leak of the November consumer price index, in order to avoid the risk of any future leakage of economically sensitive information which could affect dealings on the Stock Exchange, it has been arranged that the consumer price index, the monthly live register and the trade figures, will be calculated and published only after the Stock Exchange has closed at 5 p.m.
The Central Statistics Office have now decided that they will maintain the traditional practice of issuing the live register totals on the first Friday of each month. The Summary Release will appear on that Friday with the detailed release being published on the following Monday.
Since the question relates to the change relating to how in February, in particular, the figures were sneaked out surreptitiously a day in advance, was this conditioned by how bad the figures were which shows the continued terrible trend in unemployment, or will it be the case permanently in future that the figures will be released one day in advance, but after 5 p.m. as the Taoiseach has suggested?
The Deputy is casting aspersions on the integrity of the Central Statistics Office because it is they and not the Government who decide these matters. The Central Statistics Office are a relatively independent authority who decide when figures should be issued and what the figures issued should be. What happened on the last occasion was that the Central Statistics Office considered going over to Thursday for the release of unemployment figures. They have now revised their decision in that regard and intend to go back to the old system of publishing on a Friday.
Is there any explanation for the fact that the February figures were released in the surreptitious manner to which I referred?
I resent that. The Deputy should withdraw that comment. It is a reflection on the Central Statistics Office and their professional integrity and it is not justified. They were not sneaked out; they were published on a Thursday by the Central Statistics Office. The Central Statistics Office within their own competence decided that these figures should be published on a Thursday. They have since revised that and have returned to the old system of publishing on a Friday. They have also decided to adhere to the old date for the cost of living index figures.
I will allow one brief question as I want to get on to deal with Priority Questions.
Is it not a fact that the figures we are talking about, like information relating to the consumer price index, are with the Taoiseach some eight hours in advance of release?
That is not a fact. The figures that caused all the furore, the Consumer Price Index figure was brought to my attention for the first time at about 6 o'clock on the Friday evening when I was in Rome.
I must now come to deal with Priority Questions. Question No. 13 in the name of Deputy Richard Bruton. May I say again, as is my wont, that we have come to Priority Questions and I need the co-operation of all concerned to dispose of these five questions within the time limit prescribed under Standing Orders.