Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to identify price increases not recorded in the CPI which have contributed to increases in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27081/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to identify and combat price increases not recorded in the CPI which have contributed to increases in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27082/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.

The director general of the Central Statistics Office, CSO, has sole responsibility for and is independent in deciding the statistical methodology and professional standards to be used in compiling the consumer price index, CPI. The CPI is designed to measure the change in the average level of the prices paid by consumers for goods and services. It measures in index form the monthly changes in the cost of purchasing a representative basket of consumer goods and services.

Maintaining a moderate rate of inflation remains a key priority of economic policy because of its importance in restoring competitiveness. I made no changes to indirect taxes in the budget and this will help to keep inflation low in 2005.