Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to answer Questions No. 1 to 6, inclusive, together.

This Government has consistently said that while we do not intend to return to the rigid social partnership structures of the past, we continue to engage in a wider process of social dialogue on an ongoing basis. This means that the primary point of contact for interaction between representative groups and the Government is with the relevant Minister or Ministers who have functional responsibility in a policy area. All Ministers and their Departments engage in regular dialogue with sectoral interests in their relevant areas and the Government values these interactions and contributions.

In regard to public service issues, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform was responsible for negotiations with the public service trade unions which led to the Haddington Road agreement. He has recently indicated the Government's willingness to enter discussions with the trade unions later in 2015 on public service pay following the expiry of the Haddington Road agreement. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has lead responsibility for wider industrial relations issues and has had discussions with trade union and employer representatives on issues such as collective bargaining and sectoral pay agreements. He is also establishing the low pay commission, which will include employer and employee representatives.

I also meet with many social partner organisations during the course of my work. The following are examples of engagements since December 2013. I recently spoke to the new General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Patricia King, to congratulate her on her appointment. I met representatives of the IFA on 12 June 2014 and representatives of the ICMSA on 19 June. I had the opportunity to meet members of the wider farming community at the National Ploughing Championships on 25 September and I also addressed the IFA annual general meeting on 27 January. I met representatives of the Construction Industry Federation on 12 June. I addressed the IBEC CEO conference on 12 February 2014 and the IBEC president's dinner on 18 September.

In addition, multilateral engagement between sectors and the Government also takes place through the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, chaired by the Secretary General of my Department.

The council continues to provide a valuable forum for dialogue on the economic, social and environmental challenges facing the country and submits reports to Government on a regular basis.

Appointments to NESC are made in accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 and the National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010. In accordance with these provisions, the council includes four members nominated by business and employer interests, including IBEC, Chambers of Commerce Ireland and the GIF, as well as nominees from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, farming and agricultural interests, the community and voluntary sector and the environmental sector. The council also includes independent members and representatives of a number of Government Departments. Arrangements for the nomination and appointment of members will be considered again when the council next falls to be reappointed.

The Government remains committed to this approach of social dialogue and remains open to further deepening its relationships with representative groups across society as we seek to sustain the ongoing economic recovery. Sustainable recovery will only be possible if we retain the competitiveness and commitment to reform required of a small open economy in a single currency zone while ensuring that the benefits of recovery are shared across society. However, we do not support a return to an overly centralised model of social partnership such as operated in the past.

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