Vol. 314 No. 9
asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if in relation to the reconsideration by the Government of plans for a National Development Corporation it is considered that the economic input of such a corporation would be co-ordinated with existing semi-State bodies.
4.
asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development to outline the function of the proposed National Development Agency; its relationship with other semi-State bodies; the composition of the governing body; and the likely areas of manufacturing activity of the proposed agency.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
As a contribution to the National Understanding for Economic and Social Development, the Government have indicated that they would provide for the establishment of a National Enterprise Agency as one of a number of measures to promote employment. The functions of the proposed agency would be to establish organisational responsibility for the commercial exploitation of new development opportunities by the State where such opportunities are not being exploited by the private sector, and to provide a mechanism to ensure that commercially oriented research and development was effectively applied in the economy. It is also envisaged that the agency would engage directly in manufacturing, service and trading activities either by itself or in partnership with other organisations in the public or private sector and that it would be operated on a commercial basis. There would be appropriate representation of employer and trade union interests on its board of directors. It is envisaged that the agency would function as a self-contained entity; hence no special problems of co-ordination between it and existing State-sponsored bodies are anticipated. However, to the extent that the need for co-ordination arises, it will be provided for. Finally, as to the particular areas of activity in which the agency would become involved, these would be decided upon primarily by the agency itself in the light of its own assessments of investment possibilities.
Notwithstanding the result of the ballot on the national understanding, as there is such great merit in the proposal itself does the Minister not consider that the Government should proceed to establish the National Enterprise Agency? Irrespective of any involvement in the national understanding package, this proposal has very considerable merit.
I recognise the spirit behind the Deputy's remarks and would not wish to appear to be replying in a negative manner. However, the actual format that might have been envisaged for the agency drawn up in the context of the national understanding is not necessarily the format that would be appropriate in the changed situation that may arise now.
May I take it that the idea will be pursued irrespective of the fate of the national understanding, that progress will be made on the lines indicated by the Government already?
I did not give any indication or basis that there was necessarily any change in the underlying approach or idea. The Government remain committed to their basic policy objectives, including the major priority for progress on the employment front. The fact that some other groups do not necessarily share the same priority is not a reason for the Government to alter their proposed course of action.
What groups is the Minister referring to?
