Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:1 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach if he will outline his proposed legislative programme for the remainder of the life time of this Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17898/01]
Ceisteanna–Questions. - Legislative Programme.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:2 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the reason for the delay in publishing the Office for Economic and Social Development Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17899/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
My Department has two Bills awaiting Second Stage in the Dáil; the Statute Law Restatement Bill and the Interpretation Bill.
The only other item on my Department's legislative programme for 2001 is the Office for National Economic and Social Development Bill.
A final draft version of the Bill to establish the Office for National Economic and Social Development has been received from the Parliamentary Counsel and arrangements are currently being made to have it considered by Government with a view to publication before the end of July. The Bill will combine the National Economic and Social Council, the National Economic and Social Forum and the new National Centre for Partnership and Performance under one office. This will ensure close co-operation and co-ordination between these bodies given their complementary mandates.
Arrangements for the organisation of the Office for National Economic and Social Development and the newly established National Centre of Partnership and Performance have already begun. The chairperson and director of the NCPP have been recently appointed, and other practical arrangements including accommodation and staffing for both the office and the NCPP are being actively pursued. I am satisfied it will be possible for the Office for National Economic and Social Development and the NCPP to function effectively on an interim basis pending the enactment of the Bill by the Oireachtas.
I welcome the Taoiseach's statement. He will share with me the concern many of us have that the new office which consolidates different components of social partnership and the institutions that underpin them, needs to be put on a clear legislative footing as soon as poss ible. My party will give full co-operation to the passage of the Bill. It reinforces the institutions and the commitment to partnership if the centre can be put on a legislative footing.
I will make sure that is done. There has been a delay in the legislation. We are combining the National Economic and Social Council and the National Economic and Social Forum under one office. In conjunction with the social partners it made more sense to have them combined with the new National Centre for Partnership and Performance. We consulted IBEC and ICTU and that delayed matters. There is no reason it cannot all be dealt with in the autumn session.