asked the Taoiseach the proportionate increase in consumer spending which occurred in the first nine months of 1986 over the corresponding period for 1985.

Dún Laoghaire): The principal indication of consumer spending in the short-term is the monthly retail sales index, which is compiled by the Central Statistics Office. This index shows that for the first eight months of 1986, the latest period available, the value of retail turnover increased by 2.5 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 1985.

The answer the Minister gave is not in accordance with my question. Would the Minister tell me why he has not answered the question I put down? I did not ask anything about retail sales.

(Dún Laoghaire): I am not sure if Deputy Lyons is aware that the consumer spending figures for any year would not be available until the middle of the following year. What I have given is the latest information available. If the Deputy wants any further information I would be delighted to give it to him but I have given the information available at present.

Is the Minister saying that the indicators relating to output, investment, retail sales and exports show an increase of 2.5 per cent? I suggest that the 1986 levels in these areas are below the 1985 figures.

(Dún Laoghaire): The information I have given is accurate.

Would the Minister state if the figures given were in value terms or volume terms? Would he give the retail volume figure compared with 1980 which reads 100 in the Central Statistics Office report?

(Dún Laoghaire): The figure I have given is value——

I thought so.

(Dún Laoghaire): These figures were published last Friday in the retail sales index.

The volume figure is also given in that report. Does the Minister have that figure?

(Dún Laoghaire): For the eight months, the estimated volume declined marginally over the corresponding period for the previous year by 0.3 per cent.

Would the Minister add to that the statistic given in the Central Statistics Office report and tell us what that reads compared with 1980, reading 100 for 1980?

That seems to be a separate question.

No, it is not. The Minister quoted from the Central Statistics Office document and I want to know the figure he has with regard to the 1980——

(Dún Laoghaire): If the Deputy puts down another question I will give him the information.

Where is the consumer boom we were all told so much about?

(Dún Laoghaire): The information I have given is in accordance with the question asked.

Volume is down——

We were told about the consumer boom but it is not there.

I put this question down to the Minister for Industry and Commerce because for the past six months he has been repeating that the consumer spending boom will improve the economic situation. I contend that that is a myth.

A question, please, Deputy.

My question was transferred to the Department of the Taoiseach and I am at variance with the original reply and the supplementary replies given by the Minister of State, because he is not giving a reply to my question. Would he confirm that what the Minister for Industry and Commerce has been saying about a boom in consumer spending is purely a myth?

(Dún Laoghaire): It is not.

Prove it.

(Dún Laoghaire): I suggest that Deputy Lyons does not even understand his question. Does he understand how consumer spending is estimated?

I am waiting for the Minister to tell me.

(Dún Laoghaire): I suggest that the Deputy learn about it before he puts down questions like this. I will give the figures for the last five months. The retail sales index base, 100——

When is the base?

(Dún Laoghaire): April 154.7, May 156, June 157.6——

What is the year?

(Dún Laoghaire): July 157.5 and August 161.4.

I am calling Question No. 2.

It is down 5 per cent in volume terms since 1980.

(Dún Laoghaire): Not at all.

I am calling Question No. 2.