Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The process is that when it is passed by the NESC it is cleared by the Government. In the case of most reports there would be a discussion at that stage by Government. They would then go to the relevant Department or Departments. Taxation reports would go to the Department of Finance and education reports to the Department of Education and Science. The reports on the broad economy and social policy cover a number of Ministries and usually would be used as the basis for the talks process — practically every Department is involved in that. In some cases Departments recommend legislation. Other times it is included in social welfare Bills and other legislation. It is normal for Departments to report back on the process. In many cases, as in the national infrastructure reports, they may attend some of the Cabinet sub-committee meetings and discussions would be held on some of the issues. That is where they have done work for the process, as they did for the national plan. That would not take place in the case of a normal report but only if they had done work on it. Other reports on improvement of services are followed up by the relevant Department.

In the normal course of events — I cannot say without exception — there is an active link between the NESC work and the Departments. A number of Departments would use it for the basis of much of their own action because they see it as work that helps them, such as the developmental welfare state report, which I am aware is being actively examined and was the source of a conference held some weeks ago attended by people from many Departments and agencies. They will now deal with their own aspects of the report and there is normally follow up on those.

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