asked the Minister for Finance the present composition of the NESC, the intervals at which this body meets, when its proposals were last published and the extent, if any, to which its recommendations are accepted by the Government.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - NESC.
31.
Mr. Kenny
The council is composed of representatives of employer organisations, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, agricultural organisations and Government departments. In addition, the Government have also appointed a number of persons to the council with special qualifications or expertise in economic and social affairs.
The council generally meets at monthly intervals. To date there have been seven documents published, the latest being the report "Jobs and Living Standards". which was published today (Thursday 26th June). Two additional reports have been presented to Government who have approved the recommendations that they be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and published.
As regards the council's recommendations, these have mainly appeared in periodic reports which the Council have prepared on certain aspects of economic and social policy. These reports have presented guidelines for Government action rather than firm recommendations; these guidelines have been extremely useful to the Government in the formulation of its policy.
Finally, the Government have also sought the views of the council from time to time on specific aspects of economic and social policy and the recommendations put forward by the Council on these issues have influenced Government policy.