Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Tánaiste set out the views here, with which I agree, to SIPTU on 5 October last. While the engagement with the social partners was a well-established part of the process of government over a number of years, we intend to initiate a process of dialogue and engagement with those who represented the social partners. I cannot give Deputy Martin the dates now, but I think I myself have arranged three meetings with IBEC, ICTU and the IFA over the next couple of weeks. I addressed the IBEC president's dinner on 22 June last and I met representatives of IBEC on 20 July last. The Tánaiste and I will attend at a plenary session once a year.

When we met both IBEC and the trade unions we made it perfectly clear that the lines of contact and connection to Government are very open. We are not going into the sort of structure that applied there for a long number of years but there is no blockage, to put it that way, on those who were in the social partnerships making contact with Government. That is an important part of the dialogue.

Deputy Martin asked will the Croke Park agreement be up for assessment. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is dealing with that and is in discussions on a regular basis about getting the full implementation of the Croke Park agreement, which, as Deputy Martin will be aware, is a central part of the troika agreement. That has been a challenging position for all concerned and the Minister is very active on that.

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