Written Answers. - Official Engagements.
John Bruton
Ceist:
16
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Taoiseach
if he will elaborate on the views he expressed at the Irish Management Institute conference in Killarney, County Kerry, on 7 April 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11346/00]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:
17
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Taoiseach
if he will make a statement on the speech he delivered at the Irish Management Institute conference in Killarney, County Kerry, on 7 April 2000.
[11351/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:
18
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Taoiseach
the consideration, if any, given to the application of the women in the home movement for inclusion in the structure of future social partnership discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11474/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:
19
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Taoiseach
when he will make a decision on the application of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament for inclusion in future partnership discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11475/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:
20
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Taoiseach
when he will make a decision on the application of the United Farmers Association for inclusion in future partnership talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11476/00]
Joe Higgins
Ceist:
21
Mr. Higgins (Dublin West)
asked the
Taoiseach
if he will report on his recent visit to the Irish Management Institute conference.
[11500/00]
John Bruton
Ceist:
22
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Taoiseach
if he will report on his meeting with the social partners on 26 April 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12645/00]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:
23
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Taoiseach
if he will make a statement on his address to the Institute of Directors in London on 20 April 2000.
[12750/00]
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:
24
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Taoiseach
if he will make a statement on the meeting with the Social Partners on 26 April 2000; his views on the concerns expressed by trade unions at the current rate of inflation and the potential consequences for the implementation of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12754/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 to 24, inclusive, together.
My keynote address to the annual conference of the Irish Management Institute on 7 April was focused on the main challenges facing the Irish economy and society in the years ahead – princi pally, globalisation, EU enlargement and rapid technological change.
In particular, I emphasised the need first, to invest heavily so as to position Ireland to become a world-class leader in the global, knowledge-based, digital economy; second, to build on that through the pursuit of top-class policies on connectivity, education, regulation and partnership; and third, to deliver, through social partnership, the potential inherent in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. That will require all sides to adhere to both the letter and the spirit of the programme.
Through the provisions set out in the Government's own programme, the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness and the national development plan, we are well positioned to ensure the long-term sustainability of economic and social progress. I made the point in my address, however, that the enormous potential of these highly ambitious programmes can only be realised fully if we maintain the level of discipline which has served us so well in the past.
My address to the Institute of Directors on 20 April was focused on similar themes though, naturally, I gave particular prominence as well to the strong economic relationship between Ireland and Britain.
Copies of both my speeches are available in the Oireachtas Library for further reference.
With regard to the first plenary meeting under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness on 26 April, the primary focus was on agreeing the detailed arrangements to secure full implementation of the new programme. In that context, it was agreed to convene in the immediate future the housing forum and the public transport forum, together with addressing a number of other priority issues affecting quality of life and social inclusion.
Consideration was also given to the current inflationary pressures in the economy and the meeting was satisfied that there are solid grounds for expecting inflation to have fallen significantly by the end of the year. However, the vigorous implementation of all the terms of the PPF will be necessary to maintain a low inflationary environment. In addition, it was agreed that the Government and the social partners will monitor developments and discuss the options which are available to secure the low inflationary conditions provided for in the PPF.
On the issue of widening representation in the social partnership process, I indicated in the House last month that the spirit within which the four pillars have operated over recent years suggests the desirability that any organisation wishing to become part of the process should secure the agreement of the appropriate social partner pillar. In the event of a positive response, the Government would consider such applications sympathetically, taking due account of such factors as continuance of a fair balance in representation as between the four pillars.
Regarding the inclusion of the organisations specified in the questions, it is my understanding that none of them have yet sought formal agreement for inclusion under the appropriate pillar. With regard to the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, obviously only those organisations involved in its negotiation will be involved in its implementation.
