asked the Taoiseach whether he intends meeting with employers and trade unions for joint discussions on the economy.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Joint Discussions on Economy.
2.
I have been meeting regularly with both the employer bodies and the Executive Council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to discuss and exchange views about economic and social developments. I will continue to hold these meetings. If at any time a joint meeting with the employer bodies and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions would appear to be beneficial or if such a meeting were suggested by either the trade unions or employers, I would be pleased to arrange it.
Would the Taoiseach agree that, in view of what appears to be a deep disagreement between employers and unions on the next phase of the national understanding, it will lead to an intensification of industrial conflict over the coming months? There is the fact that unemployment shows no sign of abating——
We cannot have an argument.
I am not having an argument.
The Deputy is making a statement. He is not entitled to do that.
In view of the fact that our inflation rate is over 20 per cent, would the Taoiseach agree that a meeting now with the employers and unions at this time seeking their agreement on a way forward out of the economic mess in which we find ourselves would be opportune? Would he agree that the time is ripe for an initiative on his part?
It would be premature at this stage because the national understanding procedures have not yet been resorted to.
My question relates more to the state of the economy. Would the Taoiseach agree that if we are to find any way out of the current difficulties in relation to inflation, unemployment and so on, the co-operation on the economic front of employers and unions would be a vital step in getting that path to recovery out of the present situation? Would he agree that in this situation there is a vital input to be made by him on behalf of the Government into this process of recovery?
As I said in my reply, I meet both the trade unions and the employers' representatives regularly to discuss every aspect of the economy and I intend to continue that process. Whether a joint meeting of congress and employers with myself would be productive or fruitful I could not say, but at the moment there is no suggestion or request for such a meeting and I think that at this stage it would pre-empt and possibly interfere with the procedures of the national understanding.
A final supplementary.
Would the Taoiseach agree that overall it is the dark shadow cast by the recession in the economy which is causing disagreement between the unions and employers? Would he agree that it is a vital necessity for the Government to attempt to give the lead to the unions and employers on how a way forward is to be found out of the present difficulties? Would he agree that at present we have probably the sickest economy in the EEC and that, therefore, a way out of this mess must be found and the sooner the better? Whatever about the Taoiseach agreeing on the phases of the national understanding, overall if industrial relations are to see any improvement in the coming months——
This is a long statement.
——we require a lead from the Government on how we are to find a way forward for the economy.
The Government will be participating in the forthcoming national understanding discussions.