Bertie Ahern
Ceist:8 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach the matters on which he has sought the advice of the Ireland American Advisory Board. [8071/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ireland American Advisory Board.
I refer the Deputy to my replies to his parliamentary questions in the House on 26 March last and on 4 April 1995.
Much work was done in setting up this board. It can be extremely helpful and constructive to the development of the Irish economy. Does somebody within the Government or within the Taoiseach's Department have the liaison role of working closely with the board?
Yes, although when I became Taoiseach there was no specific officer with responsibility for dealing with the board——
The previous Taoiseach did it himself.
—— even though it was doing good work under the previous Administration, as it continues to do under this one. I have appointed an official in my Department, who is probably known to the Deputy, to take responsibility for liaison with this body, a task for which he is extremely well suited.
I appreciate the Taoiseach's reply but I do not like the innuendo. The person who looked after the committee's work under the previous Government was the Taoiseach's predecessor.
I met this committee as frequently as my predecessor, who did good work with it and to whom I give credit for having established the body. However, there was no official to complement the work the Taoiseach of the day was doing and this, when it came to matters of follow-up detail as distinct from general policy orientation, left a gap in continuity. I have appointed Mr. Donagh Morgan, former programme manager, to the responsible and important task of liaising with this body, a task for which he is extremely well qualified.
If the Taoiseach has the opportunity to meet the board in the near future, will he explain the views he expressed at the opening of NEC in Ballivor about non-Japanese foreign companies in this country?
The Deputy is raising another matter.
Will he take the opportunity to meet the board to explain his views?
The Deputy should put down a question on that subject.
I will.
It is interesting.