Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Finance if he intends to carry out an evaluation of the underlying cause or causes of the invisible inflation, which threatens the competitiveness of the economy and employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8215/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The director general of the Central Statistics Office has sole responsibility for and is independent in deciding the statistical methodology and professional standards to be used in compiling the consumer price index. 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 that budget and this will help to ensure relatively modest inflation in 2006.