The Government will come under strong attack from the Opposition over high inflation when the Dail resumes after the summer recess next week, writes Miriam Donohoe, Political Reporter.
Fine Gael has tabled a private members' motion for the first day of the new Dail term condemning the failure of the Government to tackle inflation.
Yesterday Fine Gael's finance spokesman, Mr Michael Noonan, said inflation was threatening to wreck the social partnership agreements and damage the economy.
He said it had reduced the standard of living for people on fixed incomes and had hit young families who were entering the housing market and facing huge childcare costs.
The impact of rising oil prices on the cost base of the economy was also alarming, he added.
Mr Noonan said the Government had to introduce non-inflationary gain-sharing mechanisms and a coherent strategy to reduce Ireland's exposure to external shocks whether through foreign exchange markets or through energy dependence.
A Fine Gael spokesman said yesterday that the party had not abandoned its plan to table a private members' motion calling for a full inquiry into the Philip Sheedy affair. ail term. He said the Sheedy motion would be tabled within a month.