Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, together.

On 4 April, I chaired the first plenary meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum since the formation of the new Government. The LEEF is made up of representatives from the Government, employers and trade unions and provides for tripartite dialogue on economic and employment issues as they affect the labour market. The meeting discussed the latest economic and trade developments, in particular the challenges arising from the US decision to impose tariffs on imports from the European Union. The meeting was also briefed on the potential to strengthen the all-island labour market for the benefit of employers and workers on the entire island. There were also updates on preparation of Ireland's action plan on the promotion of collective bargaining, on a number of broader labour market policy developments, and on remote and blended working policies. Finally, the meeting agreed to finalise a work programme for the LEEF for the period ahead and to re-establish a number of subgroups.

Alongside plenary meetings, the LEEF also meets in subgroup format, chaired by the relevant Minister. The recent plenary agreed to re-establishment of the following subgroups: enterprise and employment, chaired by the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; apprenticeships, chaired by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; early years, chaired by the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality; and pensions, chaired by the Minister for Social Protection. A shared island working group, chaired at official level, has also been re-established.

It was also agreed to re-establish subgroups on health and on housing, following further engagement with relevant Departments and LEEF partners on their respective agendas.

The date of the next meeting of the LEEF plenary has not yet been scheduled.

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