I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 4 and 5 together. Consultation, solidarity and partnership between all interests in our society is essential in a very small and open economy such as ours. We have given particular prominence and emphasis to this in our Programme for Government.
The very striking economic and social achievements since 1987 owe much to the partnership arrangements developed with the social partners under the Programme for National Recovery and Programme for Economic and Social Progress. The Central Review Committee will continue as the monitoring and review forum for the implementation of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
The National Economic and Social Forum will strengthen and extend the partnership principle through the formation of consensus on major issues of economic and social policy. A particular focus in the work of the forum will be the development of new initiatives to tackle unemployment.
The forum will have wider representation than that of the CRC which is confined, on the social partners side, to social partners who are a party to the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. For example, it will include representatives of women's organisations, groups representing the unemployed, the disadvantaged and people with a disability. Members of the Oireachtas will also be represented through merging the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Employment with the forum.
Details of the terms of reference and the composition of the forum, including an independent chairperson, are being considered at present. An announcement on these will be made in due course.