asked the Minister for Education if it is his intention to formulate a much needed policy on youth affairs; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Youth Affairs Policy.
29.
I am at present in the process of completing my examination of the procedure which might be adopted for the purpose of the preparation of a Government youth policy. I envisage the appointment of a committee which would make recommendations in the matter and which would issue a report within a definite time scale.
Would the Minister acknowledge that Fianna Fáil have failed in the commitment they gave prior to the February election to publish a national youth policy by the end of 1982?
No, I would not. When one talks about a national Government youth policy one must be very careful as to the type of youth policy one brings forward. It would be very easy for me as Minister of State at the Department of Education with responsibility for youth to provide a youth policy within a very short period which would only, of necessity, include the section of the Department for which I have direct responsibility. However, it is far more desirable — and the National Youth Council agree — to have a Government youth policy which is recognised not just by the Department of Education but by the other Government Departments which have tremendous influence when reforms are needed which are directly concerned with youth.
Now that the National Youth Council have brought the Minister around to the thinking that a national youth policy is needed forthwith, would she proceed with the setting up of a joint committee of Government bodies and youth organisations?
The National Youth Council did not have to bring me round to the thinking that there was a necessity for a Government youth policy. They will be involved in consultations about the composition of that committee which will include representatives of Government Departments, local authorities, bodies dealing with youth and young people's affairs and young people themselves.
The Minister would not try to muzzle them?
I have never tried to muzzle anybody and if Deputy O'Keeffe has evidence to that effect he should present it in the House.
Will the youth policy include or exclude the provisions for youth organisations to be treated as a full social partner, with full consultations on a par with farmers, employers and workers, as we in Government arranged and implemented but which the Minister announced when she spoke to the National Youth Council?
It is a tragedy that the former Taoiseach did not read the speech I gave at the annual congress of the National Youth Council. If he were in my position and had listened to the many youth organisations, which represent over 50 per cent of youth organisations, telling of their very genuine concern about what is happening in the National Youth Council, he would realise many of the things I said were necessary. That was appreciated, particularly in view of the resolution passed and adopted by the National Youth Council in Galway. The consultative status given to the National Youth Council by Deputy Garret FitzGerald as Taoiseach and by Deputy Haughey as Taoiseach, is continuing. They have had one meeting already and are in the process of having a second meeting.
How does the Minister reconcile consultative status with her statement at the meeting which appeared to reject the National Youth Council and youth organisations generally having the capacity to play a role as one of the social partners?
If the Deputy could show me the statements I made which he feels are withdrawing or threatening withdrawal of consultative status, I would be delighted.
The Minister will appreciate that I do not have the document in front of me, but I will be happy to have a look at the document later.
Is the Minister telling the House that she is encouraging youth leaders and youth organisations to give full and free expression of their views at all times——
On national policy.
——on all aspects of youth policy and any other views they might wish to express?
Not at all. What I am saying is that since I was appointed Minister of State I have met virtually all the constituent members of the National Youth Council. If the Deputy had listened, as I did, over the past few months to the members of the youth work organisations, he would realise that the largest member of the National Youth Council find it necessary to withdraw from membership of the council and the second largest youth work organisation find it necessary to give power to their executive to withdraw from the council. When such a thing happens, there is something seriously wrong within an organisation. I said that the resolution adopted at the end of the conference is a very welcome development within the council, and there is no suggestion that I or anybody else should muzzle the National Youth Council.
What warnings did the Minister give in regard to free expression of views?
I did not give any warning. I merely articulated the views which were expressed — after I left — on Saturday and Sunday by members of the youth work organisations. I am not one to talk about people behind their backs. If I had constructive criticism to make in articulating the views of youth work organisations, the place to say it was at the meeting in Galway. I will be happy to provide Deputy O'Keeffe with a copy of my script.
The Minister should tell us the warnings she gave.