Vol. 501 No. 1
20 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the measures, if any, he will put in place to allow for greater partnership between employers and their workforces in view of his statement in a magazine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4267/99]
In welcoming the publication of the first edition of Partnership at Work, the Bulletin of the National Centre for Partnership, in January of this year, I acknowledged the valuable contribution which social partnership has made to this country. In the first edition, which has been circulated to all Deputies, I also stressed the need for a much deeper partnership between employers and their workforces, particularly at enterprise level. With greater competition and the ever increasing rate of change in the modern world, an agreed union-management framework within which to respond to these issues in a non-adversarial manner is essential.
In this regard, the National Centre for Partnership has been actively engaged in pursuing its work programme, in conjunction with IBEC and ICTU, to promote the partnership approach in both the public and private sectors. The work programme for 1999 includes the provision of seminars and workshops to disseminate best practice and also training for managers, union representatives and employees. The bulletin highlights the specific initiatives that are now under way.
The bulletin is an important source of information on the development of partnership in Ireland and is a central element in the communications strategy of the centre in implementing its work programme. I wish the centre continued success with its activities.
