asked the Taoiseach the percentage increase in the price of food in the last 12 months.

12.

asked the Taoiseach the percentage increase in the price of fuel and light in the last 12 months.

13.

asked the Taoiseach the percentage increase in the price of clothing and footwear in the last 12 months.

14.

asked the Taoiseach the percentage increase in the price of transport in the last 12 months.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12, 13 and 14 together. The price of food, fuel and light, clothing and footwear and transport rose by 10.0 per cent, 36.2 per cent. 14.0 per cent and 17.4 per cent, respectively, in the 12 months ending mid-November 1980 which is the latest date for which the Consumer Price Index is available.

Shocking.

Will The Taoiseach give us the reason why those disastrous figures exist following his three years as a member of the Cabinet and, latterly, as Taoiseach, in spite of the promises made by Fianna Fáil prior to the last election?

I am not the Taoiseach.

He is in front of the Minister of State and he has not suddenly become a dummy.

The Deputy has already given the reasons.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I do not blame the Minister of State for disowning him.

Has the Taoiseach suddenly lost his power of speech? He will get his answer when he decides to go to the country.