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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 1

Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Agency Restructuring.

Peter Barry

Question:

45 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when legislation will be introduced to set up the new industrial agency.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

52 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will set out the timetable for the proposed new super agency for job creation; when it is expected that the agency will be operational; if any additional funds or resources will be made available for the new agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to answer Priority Question No. 45 and Oral Question No. 52 together.

As Deputies will be aware, the Government have considered the recommendations of the Culliton report and the Moriarty Task Force on a number of issues including the matter of agency restructuring. They decided on a structure which met the essence and objectives of the recommendations while ensuring that appropriate linkages and coherence was maintained between the arrangements to promote the development of indigenous industry and those to promote inward investment.

This structure will involve the establishment of a new agency for industrial development with separate and independent divisions for (i) the promotion, support and development of indigenous industry and (ii) the attraction of investment from overseas. There will be separate boards with executive and non-executive members for the indigenous development and overseas divisions, and separate grant-in-aid allocations will be made to each board to achieve transparency as to costs and targets.

I envisage seeking Government approval for the scheme of legislation to give effect to this decision this month and introducing the Bill in the current session. The establishment of the new agency will then proceed quickly after enactment of the legislation.

The question of additional funds or resources does not arise at this stage. I would expect at the very least that the new more focused approach and integrated delivery of services should result in greater effectiveness and efficiency, and in a cost effective manner.

Does the Minister envisage that the board could be put in place without the necessary legislative backing?

A start can be made on beginning to put the structures in place up to a point and that some of the operational arrangements can begin to be put in place before the passage of legislation. I think it is desirable and in everybody's interest that we begin as soon as it can be reasonably done but the final arrangements cannot be made until the legislation is passed by the House.

A brief question Deputy Barry please.

The Minister will be aware that this party have made proposals that the agency should be somewhat different and that the trade part of it — Bord Fáilte, CBF and Bord Iascaigh Mhara — should be taken in under the new trade board. I wonder how I can get that point across to the Minister. If the agency is actually set up before legislation comes before the House I will be proposing amendments to that effect.

I will be very glad to give full consideration to the Deputy's amendments. He will be aware that under the proposals as now decided by the Government, An Bord Tráchtála — the Trade Board — will form part of what it is proposed to call Forbairt or the indigenous division of this agency. It is, of course, open to the Deputy to propose the inclusion of further bodies. I will certainly give consideration to that proposal if he wishes to put amendments to that effect.

Question No. 46 please.

The problem at that stage will be that the——

I want to make progress on the other Priority Questions.

I should like to put one brief question as I, too, want to get to the next question. My problem with the Minister's suggestion is that if the organisation is already in place — the Minister will appreciate how the Civil Service works — it would be very hard to make changes at that stage. Whatever chance you have of making changes when legislation is going through, if something is in place it is very difficult to change it.

No, what the Deputy is talking about is the addition of certain other functions. The addition of functions is always easier to achieve than the subtraction of functions.

I will be proposing a subtraction in other areas as well.

Question No. 46 please.

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