Vol. 394 No. 8
16 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach the number of occasions on which the review body of the Programme for National Recovery have met during the past three months; the main topics discussed; if the commitments contained in the programme on health have been discussed; if any of the social partners have expressed a view at these meetings on the programme's commitments in regard to health policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Central Review Committee of the Programme for National Recovery have met on three occasions since I replied to a similar question from the Deputy on 24 October 1989. The meetings took place on 16 November and 21 December 1989, and 16 January 1990. At these meetings a wide range of issues, including health, were discussed. It is a matter for the committee to report publicly on their deliberations and I understand that the committee will shortly publish a comprehensive progress report on the programme.
The question asks if the social partners had expressed an opinion in relation to the health services. Will the Taoiseach respond to that part of the question? As far as I know there is no obligation on this House to wait until a report is produced by the committee themselves.
I have already referred the Deputy to the exact position. As far as the committee wish to report on their activities, they do so by way of public announcements. These public announcements are readily available to the Deputy and a comprehensive progress report will shortly be made.
Can the Taoiseach tell us if the ICTU, for instance, have made it clear to him that they were unhappy at the way in which the provisions in the Programme for National Recovery were proceeding in relation to the health services and the allocation of resources and personnel to the health services?
No indication of anything of that sort has appeared in any of the statements by the Central Review Committee.
