Vol. 394 No. 8
20 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if he has received any response to the invitation issued by him to the trade union movement, at the concluding dinner for the IT&GWU, to negotiate a new Programme for National Recovery; the way, if any, in which a new programme would differ from the existing one; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Since the current Programme for National Recovery is operative until the end of this year, discussions on a new programme will not commence until later this year. In advance of such discussions it would be premature to discuss the nature of a new programme other than to say — as I said on the occasion referred to in the question — that the principles of prudent macroeconomic policies, tax reform, social equity and increased employment remain basic and provide the framework for negotiations on a new programme.
