Thomas P. Broughan
Question:91 Mr. Broughan asked the asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs all the organisations which have representatives on the National Economic and Social Forum.
Written Answers. - National Economic and Social Forum.
The membership of the National Economic and Social Forum consists of representatives of a wide range of interests in society. Members appointed to the Forum represent the broader sectoral interests, in which their organisations are involved, rather than the specific interests of their own organisation.
The membership of the Forum can be broken into three "strands" as follows:
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First Strand —“Oireachtas Members” |
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The Government; Fianna Fáil; Fine Gael; Labour; Progressive Democrats; Technical Group; and Independent Senators. |
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Second Strand —“Social Partners” |
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Trade Unions |
—Irish Congress of Trade Unions |
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Employers |
—Irish Business & Employers Confederation; Construction Industry Federation |
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Agricultural Interests |
—Irish Farmers Association; Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association; Irish Co-operative Society; Macra na Feirme; Irish Countrywomen's Association. |
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Third Strand —“Community/Voluntary Sector” |
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Womens' Organisations |
—Council for the Status of Women |
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The Unemployed |
—ICTU Centres for the Unemployed; Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed |
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Youth |
—National Youth Council of Ireland |
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The Elderly |
—National Council for the Elderly |
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People with a Disability |
—Disability Federation of Ireland |
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Environmental Interests |
—An Taisce |
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The Disadvantaged |
—Three members selected through a process facilitated by the Combat Poverty Agency* |
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Independent/Experts |
—Two members nominated by the Tánaiste** |
* The seven networks involved in this process were:—Irish Rural Link; National Campaign for the Homeless; European Anti-Poverty Network (Ireland); Community Development Projects; Irish Travellers Movement; Community Workers Co-operative; and women's networks supported by the Combat Poverty Agency.
** The two independents nominated by me, to date, are Fr. Seán Healy of the Conference of Major Religious Superiors and Ms Stasia Crickley, Lecturer in Community Development in St. Patrick's College, Maynooth.