Bertie Ahern
Question:7 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the arrangements, if any, he has to meet the social partners; and the agenda, if any, he intends discussing with them. [6835/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meetings with Social Partners.
As I stated to this House, in my reply to parliamentary questions on 31 January, immediately on taking up office I held a series of useful meetings with the social partners. This was a set of open and frank meetings during which we discussed various issues of mutual interest. The press statements which issued after each meeting have been placed in the Dáil Library.
The channels of communication between Government and social partners remain open and regular meetings between Ministers and social partners take place on a variety of matters. The Central Review Committee holds regular meetings, and, in this forum, the social partners can raise any issues of concern.
I will be meeting the social partners from time to time as the need arises.
How many times has the Taoiseach met representatives of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions since taking up office?
I met all the social partners once.
Has the Taoiseach given any further consideration to enlarging the membership of the social partners and including groups like the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed and the Council for the Status of Women? I raised this matter at the end of January.
That might have been more appropriate to the last Question on the Order Paper which concerned the NESC. I have acted upon it to the extent of nominating persons from the INOU and the CSW to be members of the new NESC. I have no proposals to change the membership of the Central Review Committee.
My question was not more relevant to the last question. The point is that they will be involved in studies and analyses but will have no say when decisions are made. Any social partnership with more than 300,000 people unemployed that does not include the organisation that represents unemployed people solely is not a social partnership.
As far as the membership of the CRC is concerned, there are no proposals to change it, but every organisation concerned with any social or economic issue is in some sense a social partner, although it may not be involved in the CRC. I have indicated that I have no difficulty about meeting the INOU should they request a meeting with me.
Is the fact that the Taoiseach when in Opposition was more than critical of the Programme for National Recovery, the Programme for Economic and Social Progress and the Programme for Competitiveness and Work an influencing factor in the fact that he has only met the Irish Congress of Trade Unions once since assuming office?
No.
Does the Taoiseach still hold the same views he expressed on the publication of those documents inside and outside this House, that he had doubts as to the usefulness of the approach of the social partners at that time?
My views at the time were well founded, were well argued and represented a valid contribution to the political debate. In some respects the programmes referred to did contribute to growth in public spending which was not sustainable. However, I regard the concept of regular dialogue within the Government and with the main interests in the economy as useful. That will continue, and if I receive any requests for a meeting with the Irish Congress of Trade Uhnions, I will be most happy to accede to them. When I say I have had one meeting with them, I mean one formal meeting. I have had many other contacts and will continue to have those.
Does the Taoiseach feel that the approach of the social partners, adopted in previous agreements, is the way to proceed in future agreements, an opinion he did not hold until 15 December — I do not remember hearing a contradictory statement from the Taoiseach subsequent to his previous comments?
I regard social partnership as a useful concept and helpful in achieving harmonious social relations and economic growth.
The Taoiseach expressed the fervent wish that the unemployed be represented on the CRC. Why has he now changed his mind?
This is repetition.
I never expressed that view.
The Taoiseach did.
I expressed the view that I would like to see the representatives of the unemployed involved in social dialogue. With many others, I was instrumental in having the INOU included in the National Economic and Social Forum which was established by the previous Government so that it would make an input to social policy. On assuming office I decided to take this further and I have now included the representatives of the unemployed among the Government representatives on the NESC. This represents a step forward and a sensible move on my part, one which shows that the unemployed, many of whose views are of equal value to those of the employed, need to contribute to social dialogue in a comprehensive way. I have taken practical steps in that direction. My record of ensuring that the voice of the unemployed is heard is one of which I can be reasonably proud.
Will the Taoiseach allow the unemployed to be represented on the CRC.
I do not think the Deputy would.
Given that the Taoiseach is now using words such as "useful" do I detect a change in emphasis on the value of the social partners? Does he accept that they were an intrinsic and essential element in terms of the economic well-being achieved in recent years?
There is much repetition.
The Taoiseach and the Government would be wise to lay the same emphasis on the involvement of the social partners in future.
Does Deputy Kitt wish to put certain questions?
The Taoiseach is willing to answer.
The Deputy repeated a previous question.
The Taoiseach should listen to the repeats.
Does the Taoiseach keep himself fully informed of the agendas of the CRC meetings with a view to implementing its recommendations?
Reasonably so, but I do not consider that I have to look over its shoulder all the time.