Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

The Minister of State said it is the policy of Government, given the opportunity and agreement with the social partners, to remove tobacco from the calculation of the consumer price index. I hope, notwithstanding the very close relationship, that the social partners will never change their view on this issue because, however much we in this House might deplore smoking — it is one small point of agreement I have with the Minister, Deputy Martin — nonetheless, it is a fact of life in terms of the cost of living. Were it excised, it would artificially reduce the CPI to the credit and advantage of the Government of the day and misrepresent the reality of the cost of living. The Government has been thwarted on this occasion because the social partners did not agree, but is committed to trying again. I hope it is not successful.

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