asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism in view of the very serious level of unemployment, if he will consider setting up an all-party committee consisting of Members of the Dáil and Seanad, if he will agree that such a committee could make a positive contribution to this important subject in a constructive way; if he will agree that it could act in a supportive and creative way, by channelling information and ideas on job creation to the NDC and the IDA; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Oireachtas Committee on Job Creation.
27.
I share the Deputy's concern at the current level of unemployment and the need to maximise efforts to alleviate the problem. The Deputy will, of course, be aware that the Joint Committee on Small Businesses is examining the question of the development of the small business sector of the economy. That examination is employment related. However, the problem of unemployment permeates all areas of the economy and is caused by a wide variety of social and economic phenomena and I feel that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Socio-Economic Affairs to be established in accordance with paragraph 3.89 of the national plan Building on Reality will have a function in this area.
In these circumstances and having regard to the fact that the function of an Oireachtas committee is to report on the areas coming within their terms of reference to the Oireachtas itself, I do not consider that the establishment of an Oireachtas committee to channel information and ideas on job creation to the IDA and proposed NDC would be appropriate.