Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 6

Written Answers - National Agreements.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

18 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach the progress, if any, made in relation to the recommendation contained in the NESF report of December 1997 which suggested a greater role for the voluntary and community sectors in future national agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25569/98]

The Taoiseach:

Social partnership is a dynamic process which must be constantly developed and refined in line with the changing nature of Irish society. The inclusion, for the first time in the process, of organisations representing the community and voluntary sector was a most positive development. It represented a tangible acknowledgement of the need to bring the socially excluded and marginalised into the economic and social mainstream.

The organisations under the community and voluntary pillar have made a significant and unique contribution to the development of Partnership 2000 and, equally important, to its full implementation. In recognition of that, the Government has responded positively to the NESF report of December last in that the pillar is now represented on the NESC in its own right, as well as the NESF.

The Government's focus is on fulfilling the present agreement and on putting in place the necessary pathways towards a successor. On the question of whether representation should be widened in the context of future agreements, the Government will decide on such matters closer to the time when Partnership 2000 is due to expire.