asked the Taoiseach when the Government intends to introduce the necessary measures to ensure effective representation from the agricultural sector on the National Industrial Economic Council.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Representation on NIEC.
1.
The role of the National Industrial Economic Council in economic planning is referred to in page 233 of the Third Programme where it states that:
It is expected that the Council's role in policy formation will continue and will further develop during the programme. To this end it is proposed to review, in conjunction with the Council, its experience to date, and to consider what changes would help it to contribute further to the development of economic planning.
As part of this review, consideration is being given, in consultation with NIEC, to the inclusion on the council of representatives from sectors such as agriculture which are not at present represented. The Government have already indicated that they are, in principle, in favour of agricultural membership, but I am not in a position to say when the necessary arrangements for this will be complete.