Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 May 1985

Vol. 358 No. 1

Written Answers. - Non-Statutory Bodies and Committees.

552.

Mr. L.T. Cosgrave

asked the Taoiseach the names of the members of each non-statutory body or committee under the aegis of his Department established since 1 January 1980; the date of the first appointment of each such body or committee; the terms of reference or objectives in each case; and the date on which each body or committee reported or the date on which a report of each such body or committee is expected.

The Taoiseach

The attached is the information sought by the Deputy in relation to non-statutory bodies and committees under the aegis of my Department.

The Royal Hospital, Kilmainhan

1. The Taoiseach has appointed the Board of the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, on 27 February 1985 for a term of five years.

2. The members of the Board of the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham are: John E. Kerry Keane, Chairman; Margaret Coyne; Máire de Paor; Dermot Doolan; Rachel Doyne; Sandy Fitzgerald; Jonathan Irwin; Charles Kenny; Mike Murphy; Daniel O'Hare; Bill O'Herlihy; Homan Potterton; Pádraig Ó hUiginn; Pascal Scanlan; Barbara Wallace

3. The Board was appointed to oversee the implementation of the Government plans for the development of the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham as a major centre for culture and the arts

Committee on the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts Centres

1. The Committee was appointed by the Minister of State for Arts and Culture on 3 August 1984.

2. The members of the Committee are: Mr. Charles Kenny; Mr. Vincent Ferguson; Mr. Thomas Ryan; Mr. Arthur Gibney; Mr. Peter Owens; Ms. Attracta Halpin.

3. The Committee was appointed to put forward proposals which would enable the Royal Hibernian Academy building in Ely Place to be completed and the galleries developed.

4. The Committee reported to the Minister of State for Arts and Culture in November 1984.

Committee concerned with the outflow of Works of Art

1. The Committee was appointed by the Minister of State for Arts and Culture, on 18 January 1985.

2. The members of the Committee are: Mr. Justice Liam Hamilton, Chairman; Mr. Homan Potterton; Mr. Ciarán McGonigal; Dr. Máire de Paor; Lord Henry Montcharles; Ms. Attracta Halpin.

3. The Board was appointed to make recommendations on the most effective ways of dealing with the problem of the export of works of art and other art objects on the basis that the present legislation, viz. the Documents and Pictures (Regulation of Export) Act, 1945 is inadequate and that there is a need for new legislation.

The Committee's terms of reference are: (i) to consider the present position concerning the export of works of art and other art objects out of the country; (ii) to make recommendations as to the degree of State control considered desirable in relation to works of art and art objects and as to the kind of legislation which might be introduced to establish an effective system of control in this area; and (iii) to make such other general recommendations as the committee may consider relevant, within its terms of reference.

4. The Committee is expected to report in Autumn 1985.

Inter-Departmental Committee on Arrangements to Commemorate Bi-Centenary of the Dungannon

Convention and Grattan's Parliament

1. The Committee, which was appointed to look at the question of suitable commemoration arrangements to mark the Bi-Centenary of the Dungannon Convention and Grattan's Parliament, first met on 5 February, 1981, and reported on 23 September, 1981.

2. The Committee comprised:—

R. Stokes (Chairman)	Department of the Taoiseach
R. A. Hinchy	Department of the Taoiseach
C. Butler (Secretary)	Department of the
S. Whelan	Department of Foreign Affairs
S. Cadhain	Department of Finance
S. Mulvaney	Department of Defence
A. O. Donnchadha	Department of Education
J. Dunne	Office of Public Works

Inter-Departmental Committee to consider the use of Barrettstown Castle

1. The Committee, which was appointed to consider appropriate use of Barrettstown Castle, first met on 21 January, 1985 and expects to report by mid-May, 1985.

2. The Committee comprised:

Mr. R.A. Hinchy (Chairman)	Department of the Taoiseach
Mr. M. Dennany (Secretary)	Department of the Taoiseach
Mr. J. Berkery	Office of Public Works
Mr. T. Preston	Department of Finance
Mr. B. Nason	Department of Foreign Affairs

National Economic and Social Council

1. The National Economic and Social Council was reconstituted in July 1984.

2. The terms of reference of the National Economic and Social Council are as follows:

"1. The main task of the National Economic and Social Council shall be to provide a forum for discussion of the principles relating to the efficient development of the national economy and the achievement of social justice, and to advise the Government, through the Taoiseach on their application. The Council shall have regard, ìnter alia, to:

(i) the realisation of the highest possible levels of employment at adequate reward,

(ii) the attainment of the highest sustainable rate of economic growth,

(iii) the fair and equitable distribution of the income and wealth of the nation,

(iv) reasonable price stability and long-term equilibrium in the balance of payments,

(v) the balanced development of all regions in the country, and

(vi) the social implications of economic growth, including the need to protect the environment.

2. The Council may consider such matters either on its own initiative or at the request of the Government.

3. Members of the Government will meet regularly with NESC on their initiative or on the initiative of NESC to discuss any matters arising from the terms of reference and in particular to discuss specific economic and social policy measures and plans and to explore together proposals and actions to improve economic and social conditions. Any reports which the Council may produce shall be submitted to the Government and, shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and published.

4. The membership of the Council shall comprise a chairman appointed by the Government in consultation with the interests represented on the Council, and

Five persons nominated by agricultural organisations, Five persons nominated by the Confederation of Irish Industry and the Irish Employers' confederation,

Five persons nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions,

Five other persons appointed by the Government, including two from the National Youth Council of Ireland,

The Secretaries of the Department of Finance and the Department of the Public Service.

Any other Government Department shall have the right of audience at Council meetings if warranted by the Council's agenda, subject to the right of the Chairman to regulate the numbers attending.

5. The term of office of members shall be five years. Casual vacancies shall be filled by the Government or by the nominating body as appropriate. Members filling casual vacancies may hold office until the expiry of the other members' current term of office.

6. The numbers, remuneration and conditions of service of staff are subject to the approval of the Taoiseach.

7. The council shall regulate its own procedure."

3. The present membership of National Economic and Social Council is at Appendix I.

4. The National Economic and Social Council Publications is at Appendix II.

Appendix I

Present Membership of National Economic and Social Council

Chairman:
Mr. Pádraig Ó hUiginn
Nominated by the Government (7 members)
Mr. John Curry
Dr. Miriam Hederman O'Brien
Ms. Sylvia Meehan
Mr. David Metcalf	Publications and Research Officer, National Youth Council of Ireland
Mr. Michael Webb and	National Youth Council of Ireland
Mr. Maurice Doyle	Secretary, Department of Finance
Mr. Kevin Murphy	Secretary, Department of the Public Service
Nominated by the Confederation of Irish Industry (2 members)
Mr. Leo O'Donnell	President
Mr. Liam Connellan	Director General
Nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (5 members)
Mr. John Hall	Irish Secretary, Association of Scientific and Managerial Staffs
Mr. Dan Murphy	General Secretary, Civil Service Executive Union
Mr. Gerry Quigley	General Secretary, Irish National Teachers' Organisation
Mr. Donal Nevin	General Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Mr. Peter Cassells	Economic and Social Affairs Officer, Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Nominated by the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (1 member)
Mr. John Barry	President
Nominated by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (2 members)
Mr. Donal Hynes
Mr. Ciaran Dolan
Nominated by the Irish Employers Confederation (3 members)
Mr. Thomas Toner	President, Federated Union of Employers
Mr. Paddy Murphy	Chairman of the Council, Irish Employers Confederation
Dr. Eugene McCarthy	Director, Federated Union of Employers
Nominated by the Irish Farmers' Association (2 members)
Mr. Joe Rea	President
Mr. Michael Berkery	General Secretary

Appendix II

National Economic and Social Council Publications

Note: The date on the front cover of the report refers to the date the report was submitted to the Government. The dates listed here are the dates of publication.

	Title	Date
1.	Report on the Economy in 1973 and the Prospects for 1974	April	1974
2.	Comments on Capital Taxation Proposals	July	1974
3.	The Economy in 1974 and Outlook for 1975	Nov.	1974
4.	Regional Policy in Ireland: A Review	Jan.	1975
5.	Population and Employment Projections, 1971-86	Feb.	1975
6.	Comments on the OECD Report on Manpower Policy in Ireland	July	1975
7.	Jobs and Living Standards: Projections and Implications	June	1975
8.	An Approach to Social Policy	June	1975
9.	Report on Inflation	June	1975
10.	Causes and Effects of Inflation in Ireland	Oct.	1975
11.	Income Distribution: A Preliminary Report	Sept.	1975
12.	Educational Expenditure in Ireland	Jan.	1976
13.	Economy in 1975 and Prospects for 1976	Oct.	1975
14.	Population Projections 1971-86: The Implications for Social Planning—Dwelling Needs	Feb.	1976
15.	The Taxation of Farming Profits	Feb.	1976
16.	Some Aspects of Finance for Owner-Occupied Housing	June	1976
17.	Statistics for Social Policy	Sept.	1976
18.	Population Projections 1971-86: The Implications for Education	July	1976
19.	Rural Areas: Social Planning Problems	July	1976
20.	The Future of Public Expenditures in Ireland	July	1976
21.	Report on Public Expenditure	July	1976
22.	Institutional Arrangements for Regional Economic Development	July	1976
23.	Report on Housing Subsidies	Feb.	1977
24.	A Comparative Study of Output, Value-Added and Growth in Irish and Dutch Agriculture	Dec.	1976
25.	Towards a Social Report	Mar.	1977
26.	Prelude to Planning	Oct.	1976
27.	New Farm Operators, 1971 to 1975	April	1977
28.	Service-type Employment and Regional Development	July	1977
29.	Some Major Issues in Health Policy	July	1977
30.	Personal Incomes by County in 1973	July	1977
31.	The Potential for Growth in Irish Tax Revenues	Sept.	1977
32.	The Work of the NESC, 1974-1976	Sept.	1977
33.	Comments on Economic and Social Development, 1976-1980	July	1977
34.	Alternative Growth Rates in Irish Agriculture	Oct.	1977
35.	Population and Employment Projections 1986: A Reassessment	Oct.	1977
36.	Universality and Selectivity: Strategies in Social Policy	Jan.	1978
37.	Integrated Approaches to Personal Income Taxes and Transfers	Mar.	1978
38.	Universality and Selectivity: Social Services in Ireland	June	1978
39.	The Work of the NESC: 1977	June	1978
40.	Policies to Accelerate Agriculture Development	Sept.	1978
41.	Rural Areas: Change and Development	Sept.	1978
42.	Report on Policies for Agricultural and Rural Development	Sept.	1978
43.	Productivity and Management	Feb.	1979
44.	Comments on Development for Full Employment	Dec.	1978
45.	Urbanisation and Regional Development in Ireland	June	1979
46.	Irish Forestry Policy	Sept.	1979
47.	Alternative Strategies for Family Income Support	April	1980
48.	Transport Policy	Mar.	1980
49.	Enterprise in the Public Sector	May	1980
50.	Major Issues in Planning Services for Mentally and Physically Handicapped Persons	Oct.	1980
51.	Personal Incomes by Region in 1977	July	1980
52.	Tourism Policy	Dec.	1980
53.	Economic and Social Policy 1980-83: Aims and Recommendations	Nov.	1980
54.	The Future of the National Economic and Social Council	Feb.	1981
55.	Urbanisation, Problems of Growth and Decay in Dublin	Sept.	1981
56.	Industrial Policy and Development: A Survey of Literature from the Early 1960s to the Present	Feb.	1981
57.	Industrial Employment and the Regions 1960-82	May	1981
58.	The Socio-Economic Position of Ireland within the European Economic Community	Sept.	1981
59.	The Importance of Infrastructure to Industrial Development in Ireland — Roads, Telecommunications and Water Supply	Sept.	1981
60.	Minerals Policy	Oct.	1981
61.	Irish Social Policies Priorities for Future Development	Nov.	1981
62.	Economic and Social Policy 1981 — Aims and Recommendations	Oct.	1981
63.	Population and Labour Force Projections by County and Region, 1979-1991	Oct.	1982
64.	A Review of Industrial Policy (A Summary of this report is available separately)	Oct.	1982
65.	Farm Incomes	Nov.	1982
66.	Policies for Industrial Development: Conclusions and Recommendations	Oct.	1982
67.	An Analysis of Job Losses in Irish Manufacturing Industry	June	1983
68.	Social Planning in Ireland: Its Purposes and Organisational Requirements	April	1983
69.	Housing Requirements and Population Change, 1981-1991	August	1983
70.	Economic and Social Policy 1982: Aims and Recommendations	April	1983
71.	Education: The Implications of Demographic Change	April	1984
72.	Social Welfare: The Implications of Demographic Change	April	1984
73.	Health Services: The Implications of Demographic Change	April	1984
74.	Irish Energy Policy	April	1984
75.	Economic and Social Policy 1983: Aims and Recommendations April	Feb.	1984
	A Review of the Implications of Recent Demographic Changes for Education, Social Welfare and the Health Services (Background Paper)		1984
76.	The Role of the Financial System in Financing the Traded Sectors	Oct.	1984

National Planning Board

1. The National Planning Board was established by the Government in March 1983.

2. The objectives of the Board were:

(a) reporting to the Government through the task force of Ministers on how to maximise output and employment in competitive conditions, and

(b) examining, at the request of the task force, specific issues within these terms of reference.

In particular, the National Planning Board was requested to:

(a) review the potentialities and weaknesses of the productive sectors; assess their likely future contribution to output and employment on the basis of present policies, and recommend what policy changes may be needed to maximise this contribution;

(b) examine and recommend the means by which public works, essential to the provision of infrastructure for productive development, might be undertaken and financed at minimum net cost to the Exchequer as compared with the cost of unemployment compensation, and

(c) examine measures by which the needs of social equity and of securing an efficient use of public resources can best be reconciled.

Through these activities, and through such other work as the Board may consider necessary for the purpose, the Board were requested to prepare for the task force a draft medium-term programme for the economy within the framework of which short-term economic planning would proceed.

3. The Board submitted reports on Programme for Recovery in June 1983, Responses to Departmental comments on Programme for Recovery September 1983, Recommendations for 1984 Budget September 1983; Proposals for Plan 1984-1987; April 1984.

4. The National Planning Board had the following membership:

Professor W.J. Louden Ryan (Chair man) Prof. of Political Economy, T.C.D.

Dr. Helen Burke, Lecturer in Social Policy, U.C.D.

Mr. Harold O'Sullivan, Local Govern ment and Public Services Union.

Mr. Denis Brosnan, Chief Executive, Kerry Co-operative Creameries.

Mr. T.P. Hardiman, President, Confederation of Irish Industry.

Professor Brendan Walsh, Professor of National Economics of Ireland and Applied Economics, U.C.D.

Mr. Joseph McCabe, Chairman, Irish Ropes.

Inter-Departmental Working Party on Women's Affairs and Family Law Reform

1. The Inter-departmental Working Party on Women's Affairs and Family Law Reform was established by the Taoiseach under the chairmanship of Ms. Nuala Fennell, TD Minister of State in February 1983.

2. The terms of reference of the working party were to review the existing situation in relation to measures affecting women's affairs and family law reform, identifying areas still requiring action, considering the best administrative measures to promote positive opportunities and facilities to enable women to participate more fully in the life of the community and generally monitoring development and keeping progress under review.

3. The working party have adopted a report and it will be published in the near future.

4. At the date of the adoption of the report the members of the working party were:

Ms. Nuala Fennell, TD. Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach.

Ms. Deirdre Carroll, Department of the Taoiseach.

Mr. Sean O'Riordain, Department of the Taoiseach.

Mr. Chris O'Grady, Department of the Taoiseach.

Mr. Jim McCaffrey, Department of Finance.

Mr. Paddy O'Donoghue, Department of the Public Service.

Mr. Sean Benton, Department of Health.

Ms. Rady Redmond, Department of Labour.

Ms. Maire Ní Chionnaith, Department of Education.

Mr. Harry Morrison, Department of Social Welfare.

Ms. Jane Liddy, Department of Foreign Affairs.

Ms. Helen Browne, Department of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Chris McAllister, Department of Justice.

Mr. Frank O'Donnell, Department of Agriculture.

Ms. Sheila McGetrick, Department of the Environment.

Mr. Pat Nolan, Department of the Taoiseach, Secretary.

1. The Sectoral Development Committee were established under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach by the Government in April 1981.

2. The objectives of the Committee are to evaluate and report on the current problems and potential for development of economic sectors.

3. The Committee have to date published reports on: Clothing and Textiles Industries, 30 November 1983; Mechanical Engineering Industry, 20 November 1983; Sea-Fishing and Agriculture Industry, 16 October 1984; Building and Construction Industry, 21 December 1984; Plastics Industry, 6 February 1985; Marketing, 17 April 1985.

4. Further reports are being prepared by the Committee on: Beef Industry; Technological Capacity of Indigenous Irish Industry; Linkages; Application of Information Technology; Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Industry; Dairy Industry. These reports are expected to published over the coming months.

5. The Committee are a tripartite body with the following membership: Chairman: Mr. P. Ó hUiginn, Secretary, Department of the Taoiseach.

Government Departments: Mr. J. Donlon, Secretary, Department of Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism; Mr. J.C. Holloway, Secretary, Department of Energy; Mr. M. Keegan, Secretary, Department of Labour; Mr. P. Molloy, Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance; Mr. J. O'Mahony, Secretary, Department of Agriculture.

State Agencies: Dr. T. Higgins, Programme Director, National Board for Science and Technology; Mr. A. McCarthy, Chief Executive, Córas Tráchtála Teoranta; Mr. K. McGuinness, Chief Executive, Fóir Teoranta; Mr. P.A. White, Managing Director, Industrial Development Authority.

Confederation of Irish Industry: Mr. L. Connellan, Director General, Confederation of Irish Industry; Mr. T.P. Hardiman, Chairman, Asahi Group.

Federated Union of Employers: Mr. J. Hayden, Managing Director, Technicon (Ireland) Limited; Mr. B. Walsh, Director-in-Charge, Engineer's Department, Arthur Guinness Son & Company (Dublin) Limited.

Trade Unions: Mr. W.A. Attley, General Secretary, Federated Workers' Union of Ireland; Mr. J.F. Carroll, General President, Irish Transport and General Workers' Union; Mr. M. Merrigan, District Secretary, Amalgamated Transport and General Worker's Union; Mr. D. Nevin, General Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions; Secretary: Mr. J. Travers, Department of the Taoiseach.