Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will propose to Government that the National Consumer Agency should be represented at the pay talks and in social partnership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24007/08]

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will propose to Government that the National Consumer Agency should be represented at the pay talks and in social partnership; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24001/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 27 together.

I consider that the appropriate mechanism for the consumer perspective to be channelled into the partnership process is via the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with the support of the National Consumer Agency, NCA.

Towards 2016 recognises the importance of competition and providing a fair deal for consumers. In this regard, the NCA has a strong mandate in terms of consumer advocacy, research, information, enforcement and is resourced to promote the consumers' case.

My Department is represented directly in the partnership process. I am satisfied that it is well placed, with the support of the NCA, to bring a consumer perspective to that process.

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Many people sit around the table in the partnership process. I believe the National Consumer Agency has a particular role to play in this regard. We spoke earlier about the price of foodstuffs. Other issues of concern are energy costs, financial products and communications facilities, be they mobile phones or broadband. In the interests of the consumer, the NCA would be well placed to sit at that table. I ask that the Minister of State reconsider the matter.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is represented in the process as are unions and employers.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Retailers.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Politicians.

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Consumers should have a voice in that process.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The broad spectrum of society is represented at partnership talks. Regarding the NCA, that comes through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which is directly represented at the table in the context of partnership discussions. IBEC, trade unions and the voluntary and community sector advocate lower prices for consumers in their various guises in the social and community pillar. Everybody at the table is interested in making sure that we have a competitive retail market that ensures the consumer is protected. That is something we always monitor. Our Department is the lead one in making sure that consumers' rights are protected. The Tánaiste has already indicated the measures she has taken towards contacting retailers. It is a matter of sitting down and discussing with RGDATA and others the fact that price differentials between the Republic and Northern Ireland, for example, have not been passed on as we would have liked. Politicians take an active role in this, not only in the views they express in this Chamber, but also when they sit down to partnership talks.

It is important to acknowledge after last week's Lisbon treaty referendum that the European Commissioner for Competition, Ms Neelie Kroes, is initiating an investigation about the sterling price differential not being passed on here. That was referred to earlier today. Many people are very conscious and concerned about making sure that the consumer is protected and most importantly our Department takes a lead role in this at partnership talks.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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We have often referred to the important role that small and medium-sized enterprises and businesses contribute to employment in this country. They are the backbone, particularly in the current economic climate. I understand ISME has made a submission or request to be considered as part of the partnership talks. Its members, who have a lot to contribute, represent thousands of small businesses across the country. Is it not important to have ISME at the table? This is particularly so because of the view they have expounded on many occasions concerning levels of bureaucracy and red tape that prohibit many businesses getting off the ground. Many already in existence are strangled by this. ISME could contribute from that perspective and its contribution would be expansive and useful because of that experience.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Obviously, any organisation can make representations and submissions to partnership. There is a broad spectrum of representatives around the table already. Anything that contributes to a positive outcome and decisions by social partnership is welcome. Regarding ISME, this Department is very conscious of its role in ensuring the removal of regulatory burdens. We have a commitment to reduce that by 25% so when any proposals come forward, they are proofed and analysed to ensure that we do not put further burdens on small businesses.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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The Department could get rid of them altogether.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister agree that taxpayers and consumers have been shafted by the by the partnership process? Business gets its bit, at any rate big business does, the unions get theirs, farmers get something and Government politicians and Ministers who are supposed to stand up for taxpayers and consumers do not do so. In the current context, given the politicians we have, does the Minister agree that the best way for consumers to be protected is to ensure that there is a consumer advocate, the NCA or another one, and a taxpayer advocate who would be a central part of the partnership process? If consumers and taxpayers are not satisfied, the partnership will not proceed.

Reference was made to the voluntary community pillar. The Minister will be aware that the Consumers Association of Ireland applied for inclusion in that grouping and was refused by the Department of the Taoiseach. Will she ask the Taoiseach to reconsider that decision and to include the association as a partner in the community and voluntary pillar?

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Any organisation or individual body wishing to join partnership can make an application to the Department of the Taoiseach.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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It did but it was refused.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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On the broader issues——

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government refused it.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Partnership has served this country very well. I do not wish to hear a historical lesson again——

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Bertie Ahern did.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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——because, as I previously pointed out, we only talk about the past with the Deputy opposite. He seems to forget that the fundamentals of partnership are about consensus and decisions. The Government is the lead player in social partnership talks. There is a broad spectrum of representation, from business, trade unions and farmers to the social and voluntary pillar, which collectively come to an agreement and decide, not only about pay but about other policies such as taxation, funding of our services, training and education and so on. That has served this country very well.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Who stands up for our taxpayers and ordinary consumers?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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We do.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I remind the Deputy——

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government is supposed to but it does not.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is at the table as well. Its performance over the past ten years has produced major reductions in income and other taxes. That is because we now have consensus to go forward instead of the confrontational type of industrial relations of previous times. I view the Deputy's continued assertions that partnership should be abandoned as something clearly——

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I did not say it should be abandoned.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Most of the Deputy's commentary outside this House suggests that he has no faith in partnership to ensure that we have cohesive policies that serve all sectors of society, not only big business but at individual level. At the end of the day, the Government is present at the table and it will protect everybody's interests.