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Official Engagements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2017

Wednesday, 5 July 2017

Questions (97)

Micheál Martin

Question:

97. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his recent address on the economic dialogue conference. [31386/17]

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Written answers

The Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform hosted the National Economic Dialogue on 28 and 29 June 2017 in Dublin Castle. The Dialogue was an opportunity to consider how to make best use of the available resources in the interests of all citizens. The aim was to foster discussion on how best to sustain and strengthen the recovery in the interests of all while taking account of the many competing economic and social priorities within the limited fiscal space. The Dialogue was not intended to produce specific budget proposals or recommendations. The overarching theme of the Dialogue was “Sustainable and inclusive growth in the context of national and global challenges.” Representatives of community, voluntary and environmental groups, business, unions, research institutes, the academic community and the media were invited. All members of the Select Committee on Budgetary Oversight were also invited to attend and to participate.

I delivered the closing address of the dialogue on 29 June. I set out a number of goals to be achieved in the coming period, including:

- The culmination of the spending review led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

- The launch of the Ten Year Capital Plan and the National Planning and Spatial Framework. Both of these will be informed by the Future Ireland Plan being formulated by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

- The conclusion of the public pay negotiations, and the development of a framework that offers a clear path to affordable wage growth. 

- A multi-Departmental and whole of Government response to the National Mitigation Plan on Climate Change.

I believe the National Economic Dialogue is a very useful exercise. The Dialogues of previous years have had a material effect on the choices made in the final budget each year. I intend to reflect on this year’s discussion when formulating Budget 2018.

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