Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Members for their contributions. Those who have spoken have either been members or clients of the service provided by the National Economic and Social Forum, so I understand where they are coming from.

Deputy Kehoe raised the issue of accountability to the Dáil. Under Taoiseach's questions, all of those bodies are accountable to the Dáil and that will continue. Reports that are laid before the House will be routinely debated. I would like to see more regular debates on the various policy initiatives both here and in the other Chamber.

To answer the question raised by Deputy Stagg, the NESC will continue the research, analytical and evaluation work delivered by the NESF. The publication of their reports not only assists policy formation, but informs public debate, including consideration by Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas of issues and proposals arising. Any reports produced by the NESC shall be laid before the Houses and published. The Government will welcome a greater engagement by the Oireachtas with the work of the NESC, through discussion of its reports by the relevant committees and by the House itself. This is the most appropriate way for Members to contribute to these issues, as they do with many other advisory bodies.

The transition process is underway to ensure the amalgamation of the NESF and the NCPP into the NESC and to ensure that the process is managed carefully. This will adapt the NESC work programme and methods as necessary. The NESDO will remain a structure which the Government can use to establish new bodies if required, at no extra cost.

A query was raised about the fact that five Secretaries General were on the NESC, but there were five on the NESF already, yet that did not restrict debate very much.

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