Vol. 556 No. 1
8 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach if it is intended to alter the composition of the Oireachtas strand of the National Economic and Social Forum to reflect the new breadth of party political representation in Dáil Éireann. [15526/02]
There are 15 members in the Oireachtas Strand of the National Economic and Social Forum nominated by the political parties and Independents on the basis of the proportion of representation in the Oireachtas. This will now change to reflect the current composition of the Oireachtas and the Chief Whip has been in contact with the Opposition Whips to seek nominations.
I welcome the Taoiseach's confirmation that the composition of the NESF will better reflect the political spectrum in the House. This question was tabled as far back as last July. Does the Taoiseach agree that the NESF has done much constructive work? Has he had the opportunity to study its report on equity of access to hospital care published in July of this year?
Deputy, you are outside the realm of your question.
I am not. I am dealing with the NESF.
The question is quite specific. It asks if it is intended to alter the composition of the Oireachtas strand of the National Economic and Social Forum to reflect the new breadth of party political representation in Dáil Éireann.
Yes. This is my supplementary question on the NESF.
A supplementary question must be related to the question submitted. I have already ruled other Deputies out of order.
This is obviously a word game in which we must engage to try to find out how we get over the Taoiseach's defences in terms of addressing pressing issues. The pressing issue I would like addressed is the role of the NESF, its wider composition in terms of the makeup of the House and specifically the fact the NESF has exposed the gross inequalities in the health service, particularly the perpetuation of the two tier system of health care delivery which is perpetuated in the Government's health strategy. Has the Taoiseach discussed this report? It is clear he has not discussed it at the Cabinet committee on health but has he discussed it with the Minister for Health and Children? In support of my colleague from Monaghan, will the Taoiseach indicate when he intends to hold a meeting of the said Cabinet committee to address these pressing matters?
Obviously, the Deputy did not hear what I said earlier.
I heard the Taoiseach.
The Cabinet committee on health has been operating as the entire Cabinet. Because of the importance of the health issue, it has been dealt with at full plenary meetings of the Cabinet. On every occasion the Cabinet met, it has been dealt with in that format. In due course, perhaps it will move to a committee.
Has the Taoiseach discussed the NESF report?
Does the Taoiseach believe the composition of the National Economic and Social Forum, which is the sole window for Opposition parties to the partnership process, is an adequate representation of the people who vote for Opposition parties and adequate in terms of political accountability for the social partnership process?
The NESF is an important structure and it has done an enormous amount of good work. It is immensely important that the Oireachtas, or the party structure in the House, is represented. That is what the Chief Whip is engaged in and it is important that Oireachtas Members on the forum attend it.
Does the Taoiseach believe this is an adequate role for the Oireachtas in respect of the social partnership process? It is the only element of the social partnership process in which the Oireachtas, in any shape or form, has an input. From my previous experience on it, most of the social partnership decisions do not appear on the NESF agenda. It is a poor effort to include the Opposition parties in a process which is now dictating a great deal of the direction which this country and society takes. Does the Taoiseach agree we need to have much more robust political engagement in the social partnership process than we have had to date?
Several committees of the House deal with this matter not to mention the daily questioning of Ministers on issues arising from the PPF. Not a day goes by on Question Time or on the Order of Business that the PPF is not referred to in some form. It was referred to this morning by Deputy Quinn who raised the issue of redundancies. The Oireachtas is actively involved in this issue at Question Time and in the legislation which arises. I agree with Deputy Bruton that the NESF is not the only forum. The NESF is only one forum which deals with the social side and examines and considers the issues which affect the social aspects of social partnership. Oireachtas committees can engage with other social partners and other groups to raise issues which are part of the social partnership process. There is no reason the House cannot get involved in a more active way, but it has already moved in that direction compared with 15 years ago when the process started. The NESF has moved as part of that process but it is not the only way the Oireachtas has been involved.
Would the Taoiseach support a scenario whereby elements that referred to key Oireachtas committees would be referred to them for an input from Oireachtas Members into the developing partnership agreement before social partnership is signed off?
In so far as that can be done. Social partnership consists of negotiations between the social partners and the Government acting as a social partner, as it would because of pay and other aspects. The Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service could receive presentations on what is happening, but it would be impossible for the Oireachtas to become a negotiator. I do not think the Deputy is suggesting that, I think he is suggesting that the Oireachtas committees should be kept informed, and that is possible.
I have to carefully consider how I go about asking my question. The NESF has produced a number of very valuable reports and given very focused insights into deficiencies in a raft of areas of social concern. In the recommendations it has put forward, and specifically in the report I referred to earlier on equity of access to hospital care, it questions the criteria for evaluating patients in order of their clinical priority. Will the Taoiseach act on this, or will he mandate the NESF to carry out this evaluation? Is this a function the NESF could better address?
The Deputy should table a question on that matter.
