Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:40 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the progress of talks on a possible successor to Partner ship 2000; when the talks will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1341/00]
Written Answers. - National Agreements.
John Bruton
Ceist:41 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has for women or men working in the home on an unpaid basis to be included as social partners in view of the fact that aspects of child care and taxation are to be discussed with the social partners in a formal way. [1431/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:42 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the action, if any, he will take on the finding of the National and Economic Social Council in its recent report, Opportunities, Challenges and Capacities for Choice, to the effect that Ireland does not have a transparent system in which the public, social partners and legislators can be aware of the choices being made and debate issues of allocation of resources in an informed way on a timely basis; and his views on the criticism. [1433/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:43 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with IBEC on 8 December 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1458/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:44 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with ICTU on 8 December 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1459/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:45 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the farming organisations on 8 December 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1460/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:46 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting with the social partners on 8 December 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1461/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:47 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will include the Women in the Home organisation in negotiations leading to a new national agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1462/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:48 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the arrangements, if any, he has made for the continued participation of representatives of the Irish Farmers Association in the talks to negotiate a successor agreement to Partnership 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1696/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:49 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the progress, since 15 December 1999, of the talks with the social partners to negotiate a successor agreement to Partnership 2000. [1712/00]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:50 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Taoiseach the contacts, if any, he has had with the social partners since 16 December 1999. [1734/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 to 50, inclusive, together.
I met each of the pillars in early December to hear, at first hand, their priorities and concerns, particularly in the context of the negotiations on a successor to Partnership 2000.
The negotiations are proceeding intensively at present. While, obviously, it would be inappropriate to go into any detail at this delicate stage, I can say that all sides continue to make strenuous efforts to move the process towards ultimate agreement. It is my hope that we will be in a position to conclude successfully in the period ahead.
Given that possibility, it therefore would not be feasible to seek to widen representation at this stage. However, all the major issues and concerns facing society will feature in any new agreement and, therefore, it will be as inclusive as possible of all interests and perspectives.
The final NESC strategy indicates very clearly the potential breadth and depth of a new agreement and, certainly, the Government is committed to the strategy as the general underpinning framework. I might make the general point that the strategy represents a compromise view between all the NESC members on a huge variety of issues and concerns and, as such, I am somewhat reluctant to comment on any specific view.
As a principle, the Government is positively disposed to making society, including the policy and decision-making processes, as open and transparent as possible. Much progress has been made in recent years but, no doubt, there will always be scope for further improvement.
In response to Deputy Bruton's question on the Irish Farmers Association, I can assure the House that the association will continue to play its full role in the negotiations.