Written Answers. - NESC Recommendations on State Bodies.

Tuesday, 19 February 1991

Dáil Éireann Debate
Vol. 405 No. 3

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  31.  Mr. Hogan  Information on Philip Hogan  Zoom on Philip Hogan   asked the Minister for Finance  Information on Albert Reynolds  Zoom on Albert Reynolds   if, in respect of each commercial State body, he will outline his views on the recent recommendation of NESC that an audit be undertaken to ensure that that body is competing in a transparent and fair basis with private suppliers of similar goods or services.

  47.  Mr. Bradford  Information on Paul Bradford  Zoom on Paul Bradford   asked the Minister for Finance  Information on Albert Reynolds  Zoom on Albert Reynolds   if, in respect of each commercial State body, he will outline his views on the recent recommendation of NESC that an audit be undertaken to ensure that that body is competing in a transparent and fair basis with private suppliers of similar goods or services.

  98.  Mr. Cotter  Information on William Cotter  Zoom on William Cotter   asked the Minister for Finance  Information on Albert Reynolds  Zoom on Albert Reynolds   if, in respect of each commercial State body, he will outline his views on the recent recommendation of NESC that an audit be undertaken to ensure that that body is competing in a transparent and fair basis with private suppliers of similar goods or services.

  99.  Mrs. Taylor-Quinn  Information on Madeleine Taylor-Quinn  Zoom on Madeleine Taylor-Quinn   asked the Minister for Finance  Information on Albert Reynolds  Zoom on Albert Reynolds   if, in respect of each commercial State body, he will outline his views on the recent recommendation of NESC that an audit be undertaken to ensure that that body is competing in a transparent and fair basis with private suppliers of similar goods or services.

  101.  Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny)  Information on John Browne  Zoom on John Browne   asked the Minister for Finance  Information on Albert Reynolds  Zoom on Albert Reynolds   if, in respect of each commercial State body, he will outline his views on the recent recommendation of NESC that an audit be undertaken to ensure that that body is competing in a transparent and fair basis with private suppliers of similar goods or services.

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  103.  Mr. Crowley  Information on Frank Crowley  Zoom on Frank Crowley   asked the Minister for Finance  Information on Albert Reynolds  Zoom on Albert Reynolds   if, in respect of each commercial State body, he will outline his views on the recent recommendation of NESC that an audit be undertaken to ensure that that body is competing in a transparent and fair basis with private suppliers of similar goods or services.

  108.  Mr. Carey  Information on Donal Carey  Zoom on Donal Carey   asked the Minister for Finance  Information on Albert Reynolds  Zoom on Albert Reynolds   if, in respect of each commercial State body, he will outline his views on the recent recommendation of NESC that an audit be undertaken to ensure that that body is competing in a transparent and fair basis with private suppliers of similar goods or services.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds): Information on Albert Reynolds  Zoom on Albert Reynolds  I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 47, 98, 99, 101, 103 and 108 together. The recommendation to which the Deputies refer is, presumably, that contained in the NESC report, “A Strategy for the Nineties”, which was published in October of last year. The recommendation for an “audit” in that report was made in the broad context of maximising the contribution of the State sponsored sector to the economy. The Government at that time welcomed the report, which it saw as an important contribution to the negotiations then under way on a programme for economic and social progress to succeed the Programme for National Recovery. These negotiations, as the Deputies are aware, have successfully concluded, and a Programme for Economic and Social Progress has been agreed between the Government and the social partners.

The programme clearly states that as far as commercial State bodies are concerned, they should neither be discriminated against nor favoured by the State in their commercial operations. This is fully in accord with the terms of the NESC report. I might also add that the Government's desire to ensure transparency and fair play in relation to competition throughout the economy is reflected in the commitment given in its Programme for Government to a competition Bill. This Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation. It will, I believe, [574] together with the principles set out in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, ensure that the commercial State sector competes on a fair and transparent basis with the private sector.


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