Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I had the figure on inflation rates and consumer price index buried in my notes here. The consumer price index, while not necessarily the best example, is the one usually used and accepted as a guide. It indicates an aggregate inflation rate of 5.08%. It is not the rate of 1.5% which was quoted by the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton. She said that the €3 increase was above the rate of inflation. As the inflation rate for the term of office for this Government is over 5% and if the increase was to be above inflation, then nearly €11 would need to go onto the pension each week. Other figures show 4.5% growth in GDP last year. Even if that figure of 4.5% had been used, the increase would be more than €3. None of the figures which has emerged is below the 4.5% and is definitely not as low as 1.50% or less, which is suggested by the €3 increase.