asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the further recent statement issued by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions concerning the representative composition of the proposed National Economic Council; and if, in the light of this statement, he intends taking any further initiative in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Economic Council.
11.
I have read the recent Press statement regarding the proposed National Economic Council. I do not consider that the statement gives an accurate account of the factors leading to the deadlock over dual membership of the proposed council and the Oireachtas. It does not make explicit that the clause regarding Oireachtas membership was accepted by all interested parties with the exception of the ICTU. Contrary to what is implied in the statement, the other organisations were not prepared to concede exceptional treatment to ICTU in this respect. Furthermore, the statement omits to say that representatives of ICTU refused to attend a meeting of all interested parties to discuss the deadlock.
I have already indicated that I am prepared to meet congress, should they wish to discuss the matter with me. Any proposals resulting from the meeting would, of course, have to be discussed with the organisations concerned.
Would the Minister not consider taking the initiative in this matter and calling a meeting in order to resolve the deadlock?
A meeting with whom?
With the trade unions.
I have said in this House on a number of occasions that I am prepared——
Has the Minister said this directly to congress?
Offhand I do not think so, but they are well aware of it.
Does the Minister consider it desirable that this impasse should be resolved?
Yes.
I would suggest to the Minister that he should write to them.
If the Deputy thinks that congress is not aware of what I have said in this matter I would consider it, but I do not think that they are unaware.
Would the Minister agree that his statement is incomplete in that it does not state adequately the attitude of other interests? In saying that they accepted this restriction it does not make it clear they did not seek it and that they would equally accept the removal of the restriction. In fact, the only source of this restriction is the Government. If it was agreed that there should not be any restriction on Oireachtas Members representing any of these groups this would be acceptable to the other interests. Should that point not be disclosed rather than hidden?
There is no question of hiding anything. I was commenting on the statement by the ICTU, about which I was asked in the question. Certainly I am not trying to hide anything. I was trying to clarify the position and I think it is clear to everybody now.
I hope their statement is not as selective as the Minister's statement.