Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

What is the Minister of State saying? Did he say the attempt to excise tobacco has not died but will be raised again when something — I am not sure what — happens regarding Towards 2016? The Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, pledged to make this change in the budget but discussions with the social partners obviously did not go well. Does the Minister of State agree that it would be entirely wrong to excise tobacco from the calculation of the consumer price index because the price of tobacco is part of the cost of living?

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, boasted about his tenure of office as compared to 1997. The inflation rate, which is hovering at around 5%, was 1.5% in 1997. Has the attempt to excise tobacco and, in so doing, give a mistaken view of the cost of living been withdrawn or will the Government return to the issue when something — I did not catch the phrase the Minister of State used — is realised in respect of Towards 2016?

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