Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:136 Mr. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the principles of the Government's proposals in respect of any new partnership programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25919/02]
Written Answers. - Social Partnership Agreement.
I formally launched the talks on a successor agreement to the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness in Dublin Castle on 31 October, 2002.
I invited organisations to participate in the negotiations on a new agreement on the principle that the Government will be entering talks on the basis of our own programme for Government. As Deputy Durkan will be aware, I also made it clear that those organisations invited to participate in the talks do so on the basis that social partnership brings rights and responsibilities, that these are exercised in a spirit of mutual respect and respect for the primacy of the democratic process and that what is agreed must reflect the objective needs of the whole community and the necessary accountability for public policy and public funds.
The National Economic and Social Council published the summary of the recommendations of its strategy report on 19 November – copies of which have been lodged in the Oireachtas Library.
The report sets out an agreed approach to: the economic and social contexts in which the negotiations on a PPF successor should be set; the main challenges to be faced in the period ahead; and the options or paths to be followed in tackling those challenges.
In summary then, the NESC strategy report, along with the Government's programme, and my statement on the basis on which the social partners were invited into talks, are acting as the guiding principles for the negotiations on a social partnership agreement to succeed the PPF.
Following on from the formal launch of the talks, a series of bilateral meetings are now well under way and, as with previous agreements, the proceedings are subject to the normal confidentiality arrangements in order to protect the negotiating positions of all.