Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The answers he gave on all previous occasions he was asked this question were for the actual live register figure. The Taoiseach should take the opportunity to correct the record.

The difference is that for the seasonally adjusted figure the month-on-month increase in the number unemployed is 11,400. However, for the actual live register figure the month-on-month increase is 21,721. On the basis of the seasonally adjusted figure, the Taoiseach claimed the rate in the rise in unemployment was falling. That is not the case; it is rising. The increase was 21,721 between May and June as against 11,000 between April and May, 13,000 between March and April and 16,000 between February and March.

The Taoiseach was obviously giving a reply that was designed to make the figures look as attractive as possible from the Government's point of view. He should take the opportunity to tell the House the truth about the live register figures.

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