Vol. 405 No. 6
1 Mr. Bell asked the Taoiseach if he will outline in respect of the National Economic and Social Council (1) the title of each report published by that body since 16 June 1987, (2) the dates such reports were received in draft and final form by his Department and (3) the action taken on each report by the Government.
I propose to circulate in the Official Report a schedule of information requested by the Deputy on reports of the National Economic and Social Council published since 16 June 1987.
Reports of the NESC in final form only are received by my Department to enable them to be submitted to the Government, laid before each House of the Oireachtas and published in accordance with the Constitution and terms of reference of the council.
The NESC are a forum for discussion of the principles relating to the efficient development of the national economy and the achievement of social justice and to advise the Government on their application. The NESC reports are a valuable input to Government policy formulation. The detailed consideration of recommendations in the NESC reports is a matter for the Departments concerned.
Reports of the NESC published since 16 June 1987.
|
Report |
Title |
Submitted to Department of the Taoiseach |
|
No. 84. |
Community Care Services: An Overview. |
October 1987. |
|
No. 85. |
Redistribution through State Social Expenditure in the Republic of Ireland: 1973-1980. |
July 1988. |
|
No. 86. |
The Nature and Functioning of Labour Markets. |
November 1988. |
|
No. 87. |
A Review of Housing Policy. |
January 1989. |
|
No. 88. |
Ireland in the European Community: Performance, Prospects and Strategy. |
August 1989. |
|
No. 89. |
A Strategy for the Nineties: Economic Stability and Structural Change. |
October 1990. |
I am happy to receive the data sought in the question. A major report, a 573 page document — Ireland and The Community Performance Strategy — was commissioned and published in August 1989. Will the Taoiseach say what happened to that report and if it contains the information I sought?
The report deals with the implications for this country of the Single Market and European integration. I made a speech about it at the time and we debated it in this House. Since then the report has informed our approach to the issues and the development of Community policy.
In respect of the recent reference to the NESC of portion of the viability plan of An Post, will the Taoiseach say whether NESC will be publishing a report of their deliberations on the subject or will their views be furnished solely and privately to the Government?
I have not yet considered that matter but my instinctive reaction is to publish them.
In relation to reports from NESC, have the Taoiseach or the Minister the right to direct NESC to produce a report, for example, in relation to An Post?
The Deputy is bringing in a very distinct matter.
I do not have any difficulty about asking NESC to look into any particular aspect.
