asked the Taoiseach the annualised rate of inflation for the last quarter of each of the years 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984.

The annualised rates of inflation for the last quarter of the years 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 were 25.3 per cent, 6.6 per cent, 7.4 per cent and 2.8 per cent respectively.

The figures given by the Minister of State clearly show that the biggest single drop in the annualised rate of inflation——

The Deputy cannot make a speech.

Will the Minister confirm that the biggest single drop in the annualised rate of inflation was in the 12 months from 1981 to 1982?

That is not relevant to the question.

It is.

The question has been answered, Deputy, and you cannot make a speech about it, nor can you ask for an analysis of it.

I am not asking for an analysis. I am guided by the Chair, as ever, as to what is relevant; but the Minister of State seems to have her own interpretation. Would the Minister confirm that the biggest drop in the annualised rate of inflation down to 6.6 per cent took place in the 12 months prior to this Government coming into office and that in the 12 months immediately after this Government coming into office the annualised rate of inflation increased?

That is a comment on the figures. The figures have been given.

Will the Minister confirm that that is correct?

The Deputy can put whatever interpretation he likes on it. I will give the figures again as facts.

Would the Minister give them slowly as it is important?

For the year 1981 it was 25.3 per cent, in 1982 it was 6.6 per cent, in 1983 it was 7.4 per cent and in 1984 it was 2.8 per cent.

The biggest drop was in the year before the Government came into office.