Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together.

The Government has had extensive discussions with the social partners during the course of the year following the framework agreed with them on 28 January 2009. Under that framework we agreed on the need to stabilise the public finances to achieve a reduction in the overall Government deficit to below 3% by 2013 through an appropriate combination of expenditure and taxation adjustments. We also agreed on the need for a range of measures to stabilise the economy and minimise negative social impacts, including maximising economic activity and employment in the short term; stabilise the financial and banking sector; help those who lose their jobs; and address difficulties facing pensions schemes. Extensive subsequent engagement since January has focused in large part on these elements.

The Government published a series of measures reflecting these discussions on 23 June. In that document, the Government indicated its wish to continue to engage with the social partners, in the context of the framework agreed in January, on measures to support national recovery. Talks with the unions resumed last month in plenary session and a further round of bilateral engagement between management and unions in the various sectors has commenced.

The National Implementation Body continues to meet as necessary to oversee delivery of the industrial peace and stability provisions of the Towards 2016 review and transitional agreement. Meetings of the body also provide the opportunity for the parties to the social partnership agreement to discuss informally pay and workplace matters under the agreement. In recent months, the body was involved in assisting a number of parties, including the dispute in the electrical contracting sector.

The reported rise in industrial unrest in recent months is a cause for concern and clearly underlines the importance of mobilising support for strategic action to build confidence and restore competitiveness. The Government remains committed to engagement with the social partners to maximise support for the measures required for national recovery and to progress a range of issues, including support for enterprise, employment and competitiveness.

The National Economic and Social Council published a report which again argues the case for an integrated approach that is seen to address each of the dimensions of our crisis in a coherent and logical fashion. It emphasises that this is a matter for all economic and social actors, and not just for the Government. In particular, it argues that this overall approach should be embedded in upcoming budgetary decisions and in fiscal policy in the coming years. In response to the challenge set out in the report, the Government proposes to meet with the social partners to discuss whether there is sufficient basis to secure an agreed national response to the current economic crises. The first of these meetings will take place this evening.

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