Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I add my support to the amendment proposed by Deputy Bruton. It is a welcome amendment which I hope the Government is prepared to accept. It seeks to place within the functions of the NESC the responsibility of presenting to the Houses of the Oireachtas an assessment of the key strategic challenges relating to the economy and the achievement of social justice. It offers an opportunity for Members of both Houses to properly impact in the resultant debate which they may choose to endorse, but it is equally likely they may wish to offer key and critical amendments. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that Members of both Houses, given their extensive experience and broad sense of what constitutes social justice, would identify areas that were being overlooked.

Such an exercise is imperative. It presents an opportunity for transparency and, most importantly, for accountability in the process. Real accountability is not achieved by the current relationship between Government and the various acronyms that exist. We are discussing a Bill that is creating yet another acronym, the NESD, to add to the already confusing array of acronyms such as the NESF, the NESC and the NCPP. In this instance we are being afforded an opportunity to create real accountability, which can only be achieved through the Houses of the Oireachtas. It is an important final assessment before the real work of negotiation on future social partnership arrangements gets under way.

I support the amendment. We have to view it against the background of the relationship heretofore between Government and the NESC, as that is the body which is specifically the subject of the amendment. There is a serious dichotomy between the NESC strategy report, An Investment in Quality: Services, Inclusion and Enterprise and the Government's own self-congratulatory, back-clapping spatial strategy report. Similarly, the NESF report on health services shows the Government has a very poor record in adopting the wise and carefully considered proposals of these important bodies, which are there to inform and assist Government to better carry out its task. That will not be done by continually ignoring the best recommendations and most carefully considered positions these bodies have taken.

Accountability is required. It will not be the panacea for all the ills and deficiencies that I have recounted but unquestionably it would be a good step. I commend the amendment.

See this speech in context