Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

During the term in office of the Minister, Deputy Cowen, Ireland has performed consistently badly on the European harmonised index of consumer prices, which is compiled by EUROSTAT. Since 1998, prices in Ireland have increased by almost 30%, which is the highest level among EU countries and almost twice as high as the EU average. The nurses' claim, in respect of which they are threatening to go on strike, is partly based on the fact that they can no longer afford to buy houses in the greater Dublin region. They want a Dublin cost of living allowance because it is so expensive to live in this part of the country. The builders, who are the Minister's friends, have not been slow in jacking up house prices. The EUROSTAT figure is lower than the official rate of inflation in Ireland because it does not include the cost of a mortgage for people, particularly young families, who have to spend 25% or more of their net wages on mortgage payments. Can the Minister answer the question he was asked? The Government said in Towards 2016 that it would try to reduce inflation, but what is it actually doing to that end? It is all talk and no action.

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