John Bruton
Ceist:2 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the reports or recommendations, if any, he has received from the National Competitiveness Council which reports to him. [2360/98]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - National Competitiveness Council.
The National Competitiveness Council, established in May 1997 by the last Government, will submit its first report shortly. The report will give a review of Ireland's competitive position and has two purposes, namely, to identify priority areas for action to improve competitiveness and to provide reference material for policy makers to help further refine the actions needed in all areas of policy to improve Ireland's competitiveness.
It is expected the report will cover four main areas of action, namely, human resource development, business services, infrastructure and public finance and administration.
Will the report be debated in the House and will it be referred to one of the committees of the House for detailed examination?
I would be happy with that. The Members of the National Competitiveness Council have put much work over a relatively short period into this report in terms of analytical research and the submissions from agencies with which it has met. I am not sure of the precise date, but the report will be available as soon as possible and I will suggest to the Whips that it be debated in the House.
Does the Taoiseach know at this stage whether the report, which is clearly in final draft form, will include references and cross references by way of comparison with the report recently published by UNICE, the EU confederation of employers organisations?
I do not know whether the report will include such references. I have seen the text of the report and have had some discussions about it with the chairman of the council. The council is endeavouring to ensure the report is as comprehensive as possible, probably covering even more areas.
Cross references might be useful.
Yes, I will raise the issue.
Will the Taoiseach indicate to the House whether the report recommends the non-recognition of trade unions by employers or does it recommend that employers should co-operate with their employees and employees' representatives?
That is not relevant to the subject matter of the question.
The Ceann Comhairle has a remarkable knack of defending the Taoiseach when he is faced with a difficult question.
Who does the Deputy think he is?
The Deputy should not pass remarks which reflect on the Chair.
I presume that when the terms of reference were referred to Deputy De Rossa as Minister for Social Welfare he indicated the outcome he desired.
A Cheann Chomhairle——
The Deputy may not continue to ignore the Chair. I have asked the Deputy on a number of occasions to resume his seat. He is being given every opportunity to ask supplementary questions but he is abusing the position. I call Deputy Sargent.
Has competitiveness, referred to by the National Competitiveness Council, been defined in a way which, for example, might not take into account the predominance of low cost or low wage enterprise as being competitive and does it guard against the slippage into that type of economic operation which is currently being questioned in disputes such as that at Ryanair?
The council is looking at all aspects of competitiveness, including skills availability, education, economic and monetary union and its effect on the costs base, and the major issue of salaries and wages which represent 25 per cent of total input. The council will also examine taxation, trade diversification, investment in technology and all matters it believes will effect competitiveness in the future. The council has endeavoured to look at the policy issues which we all must examine over the next decade.
You ruled out my supplementary on the basis that it is not relevant to the question.
The Deputy should not challenge the ruling of the Chair. It is the Ceann Comhairle's right to decide on supplementary questions. I am calling Question No. 3.
I am raising a point of order.
It is not a point of order.
I asked the Taoiseach if a recommendation was made ——
I ruled five minutes ago that the matter was out of order, and it is still out of order.
My question is in order and the Taoiseach should answer it.