Brendan Howlin
Question:36 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he has discussed the national plan with the social partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22691/99]
Written Answers. - National Development Plan.
The consultation process involved in the drawing up of the National Development Plan 2000-06 has been an extensive one. Written submissions were received from the social partners and other interests on the plan and meetings to discuss these submissions and the views of the various interests on the plan have been held at both official level and Ministerial level. In addition, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and myself held further discussions on the plan with each of the four social partner pillars at the end of May last. In an extension of the consultation process, an overview of the draft national development plan was circulated to the social partners and meetings were subsequently held with each of the four social partner pillars at the highest political levels during which they responded to this overview. This response was generally very positive as regards the structure and priorities of the national development plan.