Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State. As other speakers have said, the purpose of the Bill is to establish the National Economic and Social Development Office comprising three bodies, namely, the National Economic and Social Council, the National Economic and Social Forum and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance. Section 9 states the functions of the council shall be to analyse and report to the Taoiseach on strategic issues relating to the efficient development of the economy and the achievement of social justice, and the development of a strategic framework for the conduct of relations and the negotiation of agreements between the Government and the social partners.

Section 10 deals with the functions of the forum, which are to advise the Taoiseach on policies to achieve greater equality and social inclusion and such other matters as may be specified by the Taoiseach in the context of social partnership arrangements by analysing, monitoring and evaluating relevant programmes and policies, and to facilitate public consultation on policy matters referred to it from time to time by the Government.

Section 11 states the functions of the centre are to support and facilitate organisational change and innovation based on partnership in order to bring about improved performance and mutual gains, and to contribute to national competitiveness, better public services, higher living standards, a better quality of life and the development of the workplace of the future. I concur with what my colleagues have said about the progress made since the partnership process first came about and the great developments that have taken place.

Section 14 deals with the composition of the council and section 16 deals with the composition of the centre. Section 15 deals with the composition of the forum. The ordinary members of the forum shall include: 15 Members of either the Dáil or Seanad; not fewer than three representatives of business and employer interest groups; not fewer than three members of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions; not fewer than three representatives of farming and agricultural interests; and not fewer than ten and not more than 15 members representing the "community and voluntary sector". I would like this to state "community, voluntary and youth sector" because I would like youth to be mentioned specifically in the legislation.

I welcome the fact that section 15 also states that not fewer than three and not more than five members shall be persons nominated by organisations which the Taoiseach considers representative of the local government system. I would like clarification that this means councillors rather than members of the administrative sections of councils.

Section 20 states:

20.—(1) Where a member of the Council, the Forum (subject to subsection (2)), the Centre or a body established under section 7—

(a) is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann,

(b) is elected as a member of either House of the Oireachtas or to be a representative in the European Parliament,

(c) is regarded pursuant to Part XIII of the Second Schedule to the European Parliament Elections Act 1997, as having been elected to that Parliament to fill a vacancy, or

(d) becomes a member of a local authority (within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2001),

he or she shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Council . . .

If somebody is doing a good job as a member of either body and is elected to the Oireachtas, a council or the European Parliament, he or she should not be barred from being a member of any of the groups.

I have much more to say but am aware that the Minister of State is pressed for time. I welcome the Bill and look forward to contributing on Committee and Report Stages.