John Bruton
Ceist:33 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the progress, if any, made to formulate the legislative and administrative priorities of his Department for 1999; and the achievements to date of the 1998 programme. [21043/98]
Written Answers. - Departmental Strategy.
The Department of the Taoiseach's strategy statement, which was laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 1 May 1998, sets out the priorities for my Department for the period 1998-2001. The formulation and achievement of these priorities is of course an ongoing process as the Department responds to changing circumstances.
Good progress has been made in achieving these priorities, including the successful negotiation of the British-Irish Agreement and its implementation, which is ongoing; the continued implementation of Partnership 2000, further development of the partnership process and paving the way for a successor agreement; the ongoing development of national policy in relation to European and international affairs, with a particular regard to ensuring that Ireland continues to play an effective role in the work of the European Council on major issues on the European agenda; strategy statements for all Departments and offices were laid before the Oireachtas on 1 May last. The preparation of business planning and putting in place of the framework for assignments of responsibilities provided for under the Public Service Management Act, 1997 will be completed by the end of the year. These measures will provide the basis for the putting in place of an ongoing process of managing performance based on individual and team objectives at all levels across the Civil Service; employment and business at the IFSC continues to grow strongly and a co-ordinated approach to support the centre's long-term development is being pursued; the production of an updated and comprehensive Cabinet handbook; the facilitation of access by the public to information held by my Department, as provided for in the Freedom of Information Act; the implementation of a number of measures designed to facilitate greater co-ordination between the State's legal offices, including the establishment of a study group to consider proposals for a unified prosecution service and a consultative committee to promote greater liaison and communication among the law offices on issues of common interest; the organisation of an extensive programme of events to mark the 200th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion and the ongoing work on a programme of events to celebrate the new millennium; and the roles and functions of the National Economic and Social Council and the National Economic and Social Forum have been reviewed. Each has a unique contribution to make to the process of social partnership.
The nomination procedure has now been completed and the National Economic and Social Council had its inaugural meeting this morning. The inaugural meeting of the National Economic and Social Forum has been arranged for 12 November. The heads of a Bill to place both bodies on a statutory footing have been approved by the Government and are at present with the parliamentary draftsman's office for drafting. It is anticipated that the Bill will be published in 1999.