asked the Taoiseach the purchasing power of £100 in mid-February, 1977, reckoning mid-February, 1973, as the base.

2.

asked the Taoiseach the purchasing power of £1 sterling in mid-February, 1977 as against £1 in mid-February, 1973.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. It is estimated on the basis of the consumer price index numbers that £190.26 would be required at mid-February, 1977, to purchase the same quantum of goods and services at retail prices as £100 would have purchased at mid-February, 1973. This means that £1 at mid-February, 1973, had the same purchasing power as £1.90 at mid-February 1977.

Did I hear the Minister correctly when he said £190.36?

£190.26.

Could I ask the Minister when he anticipates that the National Coalition will deserve the caption of "the Government that halved the £"?

I have a great feeling for what is going to happen in the months to come.

Surely it happened before Fianna Fáil came back into power.

Who halved the £?

Order. Question No. 3.