asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate the purpose of his recent meeting with the chairmen of the semi-State bodies: and if he will outline the plans, if any his Government have to secure additional growth and employment in the commercial State sector.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Sector Development.
1.
The purpose of my meetings with the chairmen and chief executives of the main State-sponsored bodies primarily concerned with economic and commercial development was to discuss:
—matters arising from the recently published National Economic and Social Council Report, Enterprise in the Public Sector;
—the potential for development of enterprise in the public sector;
—the contribution which State-sponsored bodies can make to economic development.
It is intended to continue these discussions and to further explore how best the State-sponsored bodies can contribute to economic growth and the expansion of employment.
Did the chairmen indicate to the Taoiseach that there was potential for job creation within their various organisations?
I think the answer to that would be yes, though the Deputy will appreciate that I was not discussing with the chairmen and the chief executives the detailed operations of their companies. That is a matter that each company would take up with whichever Minister was responsible. I was talking to the chairmen and the chief executives more in global terms, about the economy as a whole, about what were the prospects, and what contribution the public sector could make, in the overall.
Did the Taoiseach seek from them a commitment in respect of a common approach towards job creation?
I emphasised to them the importance of promoting economic development at all levels, particularly having regard to the necessity for job creation.
Did they indicate to the Taoiseach——
This must be a final supplementary from Deputy Cluskey.
——that they considered themselves inhibited by present conditions and by the criteria under which they are operating? Did they indicate that this situation represented a major barrier for them in respect of job creation?
My main purpose in meeting them was to explore exactly that, to try to discuss with them what matters might inhibit the public sector as a whole from making its full contribution to economic development.
Was the Taoiseach satisfied from their replies that they are inhibited from reaching their full potential in the area of job creation.
We were able to identify some areas that were responsible for, perhaps, preventing State companies from making their full potential contribution.
Can the Taoiseach say——
Deputy Cluskey has had four supplementaries already. Another Deputy is offering but I will allow Deputy Cluskey just one more supplementary.
Surely the Chair will accept that the question of job creation is of the utmost importance.
I accept that but we cannot spend all day on one question.
Did the Taoiseach indicate to these people that he was prepared to take whatever measures might be necessary to remove these inhibiting factors from their operations?
I undertook to examine carefully the various elements which we identified as inhibiting the contribution of the semi-State bodies to economic development.
Can the Taoiseach indicate the areas that were identified as being inhibiting in this respect?
Not at this stage.
Was the co-ordination of the semi-State sector for industrial and economic development not equally the object of the "Seán Lemass-type" Industrial Development Consortium on which many of the semi-State bodies were represented?
This is a long supplementary.
Had it not the same objective as this piece of spoofery?
I did not hear the last part of the question.
I shall repeat it.
The Deputy need not repeat it.
My meeting with the chairmen and chief executives of the semi-State companies arose out of the publication of the NESC report, Enterprise in the Public Sector. It was to discuss that report and its implications that I called these meetings and I propose to have further meetings.
Was not the over-all objective of the meeting, as it has been described to the House, indistinguishable from the over-all objective of the "Seán Lemass-type" Industrial Development Consortium on which most of these semi-State bodies were represented but which has since been wound up in despair?
The Deputy is making a statement. I am calling on Deputy FitzGerald.
What is the difference between that consortium, now in liquidation, and the present set of informal meetings which serve no purpose other than to provide a platform for publicity?
This does not arise. The Deputy should not behave in this way so early in the day.
Would the Taoiseach be prepared to report to this House early in the next session on the results of the consultations that are taking place?
Or will there be another spook to join the Industrial Development Consortium in Schoolhouse Lane?
What Deputy FitzGerald suggests was not my intention but I will be referring to the matter during the course of the Adjournment Debate.
I am calling Question No. 2.
I am concerned that the House be informed of the outcome of those meetings which may or may not be constructive.
I will consider that and I am glad to hear that the Deputy considers the meetings to be constructive.
Would the Taoiseach agree as to the necessity for there being as much incentive as possible for job creation so far as State and semi-State bodies are concerned? Did he inform the chairmen of his intention not to honour the national understanding so far as they were concerned?
I am not clear as to the implications of the Deputy's question.
The Devlin Report was covered by the national understanding.
That is a separate question.
The second phase of Devlin was applicable to chief executives, not to chairmen.
Both groups were at the meeting.
Did the Taoiseach——
Deputy Cluskey has had seven supplementaries on one question.
——recognise this factor as being vital in terms of progress?
We must move on to the next question?
I am caught between the Deputy's question and the Chair's ruling but I have dealt fully with the Deputy's question.
The Chair must be obeyed.
One of these days the Taoiseach will have to come out of his bunker.