asked the Taoiseach the annual rate of inflation; and the way in which this figure compares with each of the past ten years.

The annual rates of inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for each of the past ten years are given in the following table:

Annual Rates of Inflation, 1978-1987

The latest Consumer Price Index relates to mid-February 1988. This was 1.9 per cent higher than the mid-February 1987 index.