Dick Spring
Ceist:12 Mr. Spring asked the Taoiseach if it is his intention to have any further meetings with the social partners in relation to the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
John Bruton
Ceist:13 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the meetings he has had with leaders of the trade unions, the employers and the farmers on the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
Accompanied by the Minister for Agriculture and Food I met representatives of the IFA, ICMSA, ICOS and Macra na Feirme on 22 January 1992. The meeting discussed developments in regard to the farm industry and agri-business under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, in particular headage payments, beef premia, Common Agricultural Policy Reform, GATT developments, milk quotas, transport costs for agricultural exports and public liability. It was agreed that a further meeting would take place after the budget. Copies of the joint statement which issued after the meeting have been placed in the Oireachtas Library.
I have had no further meetings with representatives of the trade unions or employer organisations on the Programme for Economic and Social Progress since I last reported to the House in reply to parliamentary questions on 17 December 1991. Such meetings will be arranged if and when the need arises.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he is aware of the concern in many quarters in relation to the possibility of non-pay elements of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress being abandoned since the Minister for Finance met the unions and agreed on public sector pay? Will he give an assurance today that the non-pay elements of the agreement will be implemented in full, particularly in relation to health funding, unemployment and education?
I cannot give any blanket guarantee of that kind. The non-pay elements cost money the same as the pay elements cost money. As Deputies know we are facing a different budgetary situation in 1992; the House will learn much more about that shortly. It is the intention of the Minister for Finance and the Government to ensure, first, that the Programme for Economic an Social Progress stays in place because, in our view, it is the cornerstone of our economic and social policies and, second, that to the greatest extent possible all elements are implemented as was envisaged when the programme started.
Is the Taoiseach aware that there is particular concern in educational circles at the possibility that the non-pay elements of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress concerning education might not be adhered to and that that could lead to a reduced quality of education in schools? In regard to the meeting the Taoiseach had on 21 January which discussed, among other things, the beef premia and the world trade talks, may I ask a number of questions. First, in regard to the beef premia, has the Taoiseach taken any steps to speed up the pay out of these payments to farmers in view of the severe income problem experienced by many farmers, particularly in the west? Second, in regard to the world trade talks would the Taoiseach consider it useful for him or whoever holds his office, to contact other heads of Government with a view to impressing upon them the seriousnesss for Ireland of the situation that would arise if the Dunkel proposals were accepted and the compensation envisaged in the Common Agricultural Policy reform proposals thereby struck down as a result of which we would have just price reductions without compensation?
First, I know that the Minister for Finance is determined that the aspects of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress which concern education will be implemented to the greatest extent possible in the best timescale possible. Again, I have to say that the situation is governed by the overall financial constraints upon us.
With regard to the beef premia, we discussed that matter in some detail with the farming organisations. It was agreed that they would examine various possibilities with the Department of Agriculture and Food to see how payments could be expedited. They discussed various technical aspects of it — there is no point in going into them now — but all sides agreed that this was an urgent matter and that progress could and should be made in regard to it.
On the question of the GATT negotiations, I can surely suggest that our position in this regard is known around the world. I myself have spoken time and again in the European Councils about it and the European Community itself, through its negotiators, is very determined——
I hesitate to interrupt the Taoiseach and regret doing so but I am bound to say that we should now proceed to deal with questions nominated for priority for which 15 minutes is provided in the Standing Orders of this House. I need to commence now.
I will finish, a Cheann Comhairle, by saying that we have done everything possible to bring our position to the attention of world leaders.