Vol. 425 No. 7
3 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will give the full composition and terms of reference of the proposed National Economic and Social Forum, listing all the organisations to be represented on it, or from amongst whom representatives will be chosen.
4 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the relationship between the proposed National Economic and Social Forum, and the NESC, the Central Review Committee, the proposed Oireachtas Committee on Employment, and the ESRI; and the respective terms of reference of each body.
5 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach when it is intended to establish the proposed National Economic and Social Forum; the organisations which will be represented on the forum; when the independent chairperson will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 4 and 5 together. Consultation, solidarity and partnership between all interests in our society is essential in a very small and open economy such as ours. We have given particular prominence and emphasis to this in our Programme for Government.
The very striking economic and social achievements since 1987 owe much to the partnership arrangements developed with the social partners under the Programme for National Recovery and Programme for Economic and Social Progress. The Central Review Committee will continue as the monitoring and review forum for the implementation of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
The National Economic and Social Forum will strengthen and extend the partnership principle through the formation of consensus on major issues of economic and social policy. A particular focus in the work of the forum will be the development of new initiatives to tackle unemployment.
The forum will have wider representation than that of the CRC which is confined, on the social partners side, to social partners who are a party to the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. For example, it will include representatives of women's organisations, groups representing the unemployed, the disadvantaged and people with a disability. Members of the Oireachtas will also be represented through merging the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Employment with the forum.
Details of the terms of reference and the composition of the forum, including an independent chairperson, are being considered at present. An announcement on these will be made in due course.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that his Government will have so many different, duplicating bodies with similar membership talking about employment problems that the very multiplicity of these bodies will constitute an excuse for failure to make decisions and, in some instances, a classic bureaucratic mechanism for the postponement of decisions?
I do not accept what the Deputy says. We will not use any new organisations as excuses for not tackling the unemployment problem. In the Programme for Government we have clear sets of initiatives that we will take over the term to tackle unemployment. We also recognise that Ireland is going through the worst effects of world recession that the world has seen since the thirties. Consequently, we have the economy well poised to take advantage of the upturn when it happens. We are going to seek maximum consultation and consensus throughout society about the manner in which this is to be tackled.
In relation to the National Economic and Social Forum, the Government programme on page 9 indicates that it is intended that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Employment will be merged with the forum. Could the Taoiseach indicate how it is proposed to merge a committee that no longer exists? What form will Oireachtas representation have on this committee?
I am well aware that the committee ceased with the last Dáil. Thankfully, many of the members of that committee are still here. In due course, we will be inviting Members to participate in the National Economic and Social Forum when it is set up.
Would the Taoiseach explain to the House why we need a National Economic and Social Forum as well as NESC? Would one body not suffice?
There will be close links maintained between the forum and the NESC on matters of mutual concern. The detailed terms of reference of the forum will ensure that duplication and overlap between the two bodies are avoided. The NESC will continue to meet, as it always has done, in private while the forum will have open plenary sessions from time to time. The involvement of Oireachtas Members as well as the social partners will be a particular feature of the forum. The NESC will continue to advise the Government on the principles of economic and social development and will provide a strategic and long term focus, whereas the forum will focus more on issues of immediate policy concern. One is on principles and the other is on issues.
Why do we need two bodies? Would not one do?
We have decided that we need both. We believe they will be an addition to the overall consensus approach of this Government.
Is it the case that the staff of the Irish Productivity Centre are to be allocated to the National Economic and Social Forum?
It is intended that the Irish Productivity Centre will service the National Economic and Social Forum in a secretariat manner and also give advice.
