asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will publish the Dalen Report on the Irish National Productivity Committee; and if he will make a statement on the progress, if any, made in the implementation of this report and on the position of the committee generally.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish National Productivity Committee.
38.
The Dalen/Hubert Report was commissioned by the Irish National Productivity Committee and the question of publication is primarily a matter for that organisation. I understand that the committee expects shortly to complete its examination of the recommendations made in the report and then to convey to me-its conclusions.
The committee, as the Deputy is, no doubt, aware, is representative of employer and trade union organisations and it provides a valuable link between these interests which is important at the present time, when improved productivity is so necessary, and which I would not wish to see severed.
Is the Minister aware of the widespread and prolonged dissatisfaction that there is with this committee both among management and many branches of the trade union movement, and does he not feel that it is important that this report should be published? Does he suggest that the committee should be left to reform themselves and that there should be no review of their activities, at this stage, bearing in mind that the CII have withdrawn from it?
I do not think that the Deputy should endeavour to get it across to the House that the reason the CII have withdrawn is because the trade union representatives are not satisfied with the way it is——
I did not say that.
That is the impression I got.
I said that there was dissatisfaction on both sides. Many trade unionists, though not all, and the employers are dissatisfied and the employers have now withdrawn and indeed——
Not the employers.
The CII, representing the employers, have withdrawn and, therefore, surely we are entitled to know something about this report?
As I said, the committee expect shortly to complete their examination of the recommendations in the report and to convey to me their conclusions.
How can they sit in judgment on themselves?
They can make observations. The Dalen/Hubert Report has been issued and they are making their observations for submission to me and arising from their observations and in conjunction with the report I will be making proposals.
Has the Minister got the report?
I have.
Will the Minister publish it?
Certainly not until I have had the opportunity of discussing it with the committee of the INPC.
And the Minister will publish it then?
I will consider the matter then. It is an INPC report, commissioned by themselves.
It is a report which was financed by the public and we are entitled to know what is in it. Who paid for the report? Where did they get their money from? From us.
I will duly consider the matter.