asked the Taoiseach the effect which membership of the EEC will have on Irish retail prices for beef, mutton and butter.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
2.
asked the Taoiseach by how much, on an average, food prices will rise when Ireland joins the EEC.
I propose with your permission, Sir, to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
It is not possible to estimate precisely the effect of the application of EEC arrangements on retail prices of various food items following Ireland's accession to an enlarged Community as changes in retail prices would be affected by a variety of factors, such as changes in EEC prices and Irish prices in the meantime and the effects of price increases on wholesalers' and retailers' margins. Changes in the level of retail prices would also be affected by the length of the transitional period for the applicant countries during which they would gradually adjust their price levels to those of the Community.
It is tentatively estimated, however, on the basis of the main price differentials for agricultural products for which data are available, that the full application of current EEC agricultural prices here would lead to an increase in the retail price index for food of the order of 12 per cent to 18 per cent on the present level. The actual increase would, of course, be spread over a number of years depending on the length of the transitional period.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider it advisable that the prices of normal food products should be spelled out?
Yes, there will be various prognostications made available to people interested in this particular aspect of our application to join the EEC, in time.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that the people interested are the housewives?
I would and indeed other sectors of the community also. I think the whole nation would be interested.
And, of course, these price increases will be reflected in an increase in wages and salaries as well?
This matter would be the subject of a different question.
That is a separate question. Question No. 4.
That is the basis of the question.
If the Leader of the Labour Party had any intelligence he would not ask that question.
Question No. 4.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be in a position to give us figures for foodstuffs that apply at the present time in Common Market countries so that we will have some idea of what the prices might be? Would he also be able to tell us if there is some kind of uniformity about prices in the EEC countries at the moment?
I shall certainly try to make the statistics relating to the first part of the Deputy's question available to him, that is, current prices in the Common Market countries and so on. I shall certainly try to get those figures for the Deputy.
And the Parliamentary Secretary will communicate with me?
I shall certainly do that. I shall give the Deputy every assistance I can.