asked the Taoiseach the action, if any, the Government propose to take to implement the recommendations of the National Planning Board.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Planning Board Recommendations.
2.
The Government have initiated an intensive review of all of the proposals of the National Planning Board covering their strategic validity, feasibility, costing and employment implications. They will in the very near future initiate consultations with the social partners on the board's recommendations. Based on both, the Government will take the decisions necessary to meet their economic and social objectives especially that of reversing the rise in unemployment. They will publish those decisions as a national plan.
Considering the title of the proposals — proposals for a plan — and that more than 18 months ago the Government promised immediate and effective action to deal with unemployment and also in the light of our having had a plethora of reports, analyses and so on——
Has the Deputy a question?
I am putting a question. We have had these various reports and analyses from the ESRI, from sectoral committees, from the Committee on Taxation and from Telesis as well as White Papers on industrial strategy, but is there any possibility that the Government will do as the members of the Board ask them to do in very clear language, that is, to get up off their posteriors, take action and introduce a plan as was their obligation 18 months ago?
I have indicated that our intention is to do so, having considered the recommendations of the board, but we are concerned to produce a plan that will be realistic, serious and decisive and not to replicate past efforts by other Governments, efforts which had the most damaging effect by setting imaginary targets, misleading people into investment plans at a cost of perhaps some hundreds of millions of pounds and otherwise disrupting the economy. Neither do we propose to produce a plan which will have the word "envisage" five times on the one page.
I do not expect that either the House or the nation will be reassured by the Taoiseach's reference to a plan that will be realistic, serious and decisive. He is hardly expected to produce a plan that will be unrealistic, frivolous and indecisive. This Government have been marked by such characteristics in any event. Does the Taoiseach not recognise that it is a fundamental role of Government to have a plan from day one for dealing with the issues facing the nation? These issues were underlined clearly in recent indications where, for instance, it was revealed that the numbers claiming unemployment benefit are now 20,000 more than the number engaged in manufacturing industry, where those employed in manufacturing industry are now fewer than was the case in 1966? Does the Taoiseach not recognise that the fact that there is no plan after the Government have been in office for two years——
We must have a question.
——is a total abrogation of their responsibility in terms of what must be their most fundamental task, that is, the creation of a climate for investment activity and employment? All the time the unemployment problem is worsening.
I would emphasise that in advance of the publication of any plan the Government have restored confidence in the economy and in the financial viability of the State, confidence that had been gravely undermined by the previous administration in both of their incarnations. It is on that basis and the restoration of confidence that we have a solid foundation upon which to build in the plan which we are now preparing.
Does the Taoiseach not recognise that one of the differences between his party and ours in Opposition is that when the Taoiseach was in Opposition he and his Ministers travelled outside the State in an attempt to undermine confidence——
What has this to do with the question?
Because the Taoiseach said the State was being undermined. Does the Taoiseach not recognise that there is very serious concern here because of unemployment, falling investment and the inability of the Government to reach agreement to bring forward a comprehensive plan which should have been there from their first day in office? When are we going to see such a plan?
I object to the imputation that I or any member of the Government of either party at any stage travelled outside the country with a view to undermining the State.
It is a fact, the records show it.
There is no basis in that allegation and the Deputy does not enhance his reputation or his credibility by making statements of that kind. We hope to have the plan ready by September.
Will we definitely have the plan in September?
We are working towards it.
So it is not a definite date?