Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

-----is the only State agency under the aegis of my Department. The answer to that question is, "Yes". The Deputy also mentioned the importance of having people on the NESC who reflect particular sectors. For instance, under the community and voluntary pillar nominees there are representatives from Social Justice Ireland, INOU, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the NYCI. The membership of the National Economic and Social Council covers a broad range of sectors and personnel of particular ability. As I said in my reply, the latter half of which I hope the Deputy heard, I value their individual presentations and encourage them to state their views when we meet, to have shorter reports and to reflect on the more shorter-term problems that the country faces in terms of this economy and social justice.

In respect of the report on the NECS that the Deputy mentioned, that deals with the broader details of the economy and the Department of Finance would have a particular interest in that.

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