asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if, in view of the failure of private enterprise to create an adequate number of jobs for school leavers and others, and their assertion that this is neither their function nor the object of their activities, he will expand the use and scope of State enterprise into productive capital investment-type industrial activity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Industrial Activity.
21.
The Green Paper indicated the Government's view that there was no reason in principle why there should be any rigid distinctions between the State and the private sector in the industrial sphere. Government policy measures to date have created a favourable environment for the private sector to expand. At the same time, the Industrial Development Consortium have been active in seeking ways by which the development potential of the State-sponsored bodies may be further identified and developed, and have actively canvassed these bodies for development proposals. A number of proposals are under active consideration.
Has there been any reconsideration by the Government of their original approach to the request of the trade unions for the establishment of a national development corporation and the idea of reactivating the State sector in the provision of more jobs?
This is a separate question. We have had a number of meetings with representatives of the trade union movement at which we have discussed this topic.
What has been the result?
I would prefer to regard it as a continuing dialogue.