Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

Is the Minister aware that if one takes a five-year perspective from the end of 2001, when the current CPI was constructed, to the present day, looking only at Government services, one sees that the increase in their price has been 52%? By contrast, the cost of private services, which pay the same wage costs and endure the same environment, has increased by only 18%. Government service price increases have been three times more than private increases. That belies the Minister's suggestion that international factors are influencing Ireland's deterioration.

If the Minister considers the European comparison that he quotes, he will see what is happening in Ireland with prices largely determined by the Government. We have 60% higher inflation in such services than in the rest of the EU. It is not true that these problems are largely outside our control. Government pricing in all those areas — electricity, gas, health insurance, bus, rail, motor tax, bin charges, post, college registration, the drugs refund scheme, parking fees, TV licences, hospital charges and credit card duties have been the drivers of much recent inflation. Does he agree we must address those?

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