Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Programme for Economic and Social Progress.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

3 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach when he proposes to meet again with the social partners; if he will outline in detail to them the implications of the recently agreed Programme for Government between the Coalition parties or the terms and conditions of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I informed the House on 16 October that, on 8 October, along with the Ministers for Industry and Commerce, Agriculture and Food, Labour and Social Welfare, I met the Central Review Committee to discuss the general economic and fiscal situation. It was agreed at that meeting that bilateral discussions at officials' level between the Government and the social partners should take place on issues relevant to commitments in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress and the 1992 budgetary outlook. These bilateral discussions are now under way and, so far as the recently negotiated Programme for Government is concerned, matters of relevance will form part of the discussions. It is envisaged that a meeting between members of the Government and the social partners will be held at a later stage when the discussions are further advanced.

Would the Taoiseach confirm that any alterations which might be made to the terms and conditions of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress as ratified by the Dáil, are a matter primarily of concern for the social partners and the Government, that representations from teachers' unions and other public sector unions to Opposition Deputies can only fall on deaf ears as we had no part to play in the negotiation of such terms and that any proposed changes are a matter primarily of concern for the Government and the public sector unions?

I would agree that the discussions taking place are a matter primarily for the social partners and the Government, although, of course, the outcome of those discussions will be a matter of very great public interest.

In the light of the Taoiseach's and the Government's experience over the past nine months of the operation of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, is he now prepared to reconsider his decision not to establish an Oireachtas economic affairs committee who would be able to participate in this ongoing process?

We are having a widening of the subject matter.

I think that would become unnecessarily cumbersome.

The Taoiseach will regret the day he did not do it.

Will the bilateral discussions to which the Taoiseach referred be concluded in time for the results to be included in the Estimates as presented to the House? If so, when will they be concluded and when does he expect the Estimates will be presented?

I cannot yet give a date for the publication of the Estimates but the work is going on. The two operations are proceeding side by side. It is likely and necessary that the discussions with regard to the programme should be concluded before the Estimates are finally concluded.

The Taoiseach, in reply to a similar question last week, had the gall to state that the unemployed were adequately represented by the——

Questions, please.

I am coming to it now, a Cheann Comhairle. Would the Taoiseach agree to give serious consideration to the rights of the unemployed, to give them separate representation — as against the trade unions — as one of the social partners?

That is a separate question. Deputy De Rossa was offering.

Would the Taoiseach answer?

I have already explained to the Deputy that that would not be practical.

In view of the fact that the Programme for Economic and Social Progress was brought before the House for approval, will the Taoiseach say whether any amendments negotiated in respect of the programme will be brought before the House for approval?

I cannot say at this stage what the outcome of the discussions will be but certainly the House will be kept fully informed.

That is not what I asked. Will amendments to the programme be brought before the House for approval?

Not necessarily.

The Deputy has had a fair innings.

The original document was brought before the House for approval. If it is to be amended, surely the House should approve the amendments?

The Deputy has put his question.

Barr
Roinn