Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I also warmly support the principle of Oireachtas reform to achieve the greatest possible degree of accountability and democracy. We are considering some initiatives regarding committees and interaction with the public via the Internet.

I have, however, to disagree with the case well made by Senators Brian Hayes and Ryan. The Government has a duty to implement its programme for Government. I cannot accept the amendment.

The function of the council under section 9 of the Bill is to analyse and report to the Taoiseach on strategic issues and it would not therefore be appropriate for it to report to the Oireachtas in advance of this reporting mechanism. However, we could undertake that the Government make arrangements when the reports are published for the Oireachtas to discuss them. This is a good idea. My colleague, the party Whip for this House and I have discussed this and agree that we would be more than happy to arrange for discussions at that stage. That is as far as I can go to meet the points made by the Senators.

I do not believe there is a democratic deficit in the relationship between the process of social partnership and interaction with the Oireachtas, which withstands close scrutiny. Each of our six social partnership agreements has been based on the primacy of the then programme for Government and within the framework of the NESC three-year strategic economic and social overview.

I do not often make partisan points but I assume the negotiations leading to Partnership 2000 between 1997 and 1999, overseen by the then rainbow coalition Government, were conducted on a similar basis. The current negotiations are being conducted on that basis. The monitoring and review of the implementation of the social partnership agreements operates at several levels within the Oireachtas. Detailed quarterly progress reports on implementation, keynote speeches and other relevant documents are laid before the Oireachtas for closer scrutiny and probing. In excess of 40 key documents were laid before both Houses in respect of the current agreement.

Senator Brian Hayes mentioned the current partnership agreement which is relevant to this discussion. I understand the talks to discuss a new national pay agreement have resumed this afternoon after they adjourned last night, without agreement, despite the intervention of the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach, accompanied by the Tánaiste and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, held direct discussions with the parties last night in an attempt to finalise an agreement. The parties are considering an outline pay agreement put to them by the Government.

Commenting on the proposals for a new national pay agreement, the Taoiseach said: "From my own discussions with both sides, I believe that they meet the demands of the unions for adequate pay increases, while providing certainty about pay costs for a reasonable period for employers". He also said the proposals represented the best terms that could be achieved and urged the parties to accept them as a basis for continuing the partnership process which has the potential to provide solutions to problems which may arise in the future. He hopes that both sides will accept the proposals. It must be recognised that we are dealing with difficult issues which will have an important bearing on the future development of the economy. It is a question of getting the right balance. We must ensure we have decent employment standards and maintain our competitiveness and attractiveness as regards investment. This is just a brief reference to the pay talks. We wish those involved well and both Houses would like to see an agreement. Following the remarks made by Senator Brian Hayes, I wanted to put that on the record.

That is my position. I regret I cannot move beyond saying that we could undertake to make arrangements for the Oireachtas to discuss reports when they are published. My colleague, Senator Moylan, would obviously give a similar undertaking.