Vol. 463 No. 4
10 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the proposals, if any, he has to attend in the near future a meeting of the Central Review Committee; when he met the social partners both together as a body and individually; and the preparations, if any, he has made to start negotiation of a new national programme when the Programme for Competitiveness and Work expires. [6611/96]
11 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the proposals, if any, he has to enlarge the number of social partners involved in the Central Review Committee. [6612/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
Accompanied by the Minister for Finance and Minister for Social Welfare I last met the Central Review Committee on 14 December 1995. I would be happy to meet the committee at any time that would be mutually useful. Both I and my colleagues in Government have had a continuing series of high level contacts, both formal and informal, with the social partners, and we remain available to meet them individually or together as the need arises.
I also attended a meeting of the NESC on 19 January 1996, where I requested the council to prepare a strategy report which will inform the negotiations on a new national programme to follow the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. The NESF, which has an even wider range of representation than the NESC, is also being invited to prepare a report on the elements and consultative process of a new national programme. In addition to the preparation of these formal reports, there is ongoing contact between relevant Government Departments as to the prospects and likely parameters of any successor to the Programme for Competitiveness and Work.
With regard to the membership of the CRC, I have received requests from a number of organisations for inclusion in the Central Review Committee which monitors the implementation of national programmes. The existing Central Review Committee is working well and I have no plans to change it. A wider range of organisations will contribute to a new programme through their membership of either the NESC, the NESF or both. In addition, I intend to ensure that in the preparation of any new programme, mechanisms will be developed to allow for a contribution in particular in areas of direct relevance to their members from a wider number of groups than at present and would be happy to receive representation on this point.
I had difficulty hearing most of what the Taoiseach said. How does he respond to the criticism that there is not the same commitment to social partnership during the Programme for Competitiveness and Work as existed previously? There is now growing concern among rank and file trade unionists about a further programme. What is the Government doing about the issues raised by the various branches arising from the lack of tax reform in the last two budgets?
The Government is greatly committed to a new programme and I regularly met the social partners with a view to creating the conditions for one. I am aware of concern in the trade union movement that social partnership exists at national level but not within firms. However, the creation of social partnership at firm level is not a matter for Government; in the first instance it is for the employers with whom the unions are dealing. In my meetings with IBEC, I have encouraged its members to put in place structures for social partnership at firm level. My record in this matter is particularly good in that I was responsible for the introduction of tax incentives for employee shareholding over the last ten years, all of which give a concrete expression to social partnership at firm level. My commitment to that is second to none, which should be reassuring to the trade union movement.
Furthermore, as to tax reform, in the last year there has been more rapid creation of employment than in any year in history. Since I became Taoiseach the number in employment has grown on average by 100 every day. Mortgage rates are lower than ever and a person with an average mortgage is now paying £110 less per month than when Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats were in Government. As far as the family budget is concerned, this Government is ensuring that people who send their children to third level education will not have to pay fees. These measures represent direct financial benefits for employees and workers and indicate a clear commitment on the part of the Government to enhance the living standards of Irish people.
I apologise that I did not hear the beginning of the Taoiseach's reply. When did he last meet farmers, employers and trade unions together?
In December 1995 I met the central review committee and in January of this year I met NESC. The membership of both bodies is composed of representatives from the organisations to which the Deputy referred. I have indicated that I am willing to meet the social partners, individually or together, at any time. I will be glad to meet the central review committee at any stage such a meeting is deemed useful. My door is open to the social partners at all times.
I am glad to hear it. When does the Government expect to receive NESC's report which, I assume, will form the basis for discussions with the social partners? Has the Taoiseach responded to the request of the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland to formally become a social partner for the next round of discussions?
All members of NESC, NESF and the central review committee are social partners. It is not proposed to extend the representation on the central review committee. However, I will be glad to consider suggestions for ways to involve other organisations in social partnership. In my original reply I invited representations on that point. I will be glad to receive any representations that the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland wish to make.
I indicated earlier, standing orders are very strict in this regard, that we should proceed to deal with Priority Questions at 3.30 p.m. Therefore, we will not deal with any further questions to the Taoiseach today.
