asked the Taoiseach the date on which the Government received the report of the NESC on their review of its economic and social policies; and if the report will be released to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas prior to the proposed Dáil debate on the economy.

: The report referred to was received on 24 September. It is being processed in accordance with the normal procedure for these reports prior to their submission to the Government and subsequent circulation to the Houses of the Oireachtas, It would not be possible in the time available to complete this process before the Dáil debate on the economy, but I can assure the Deputy that the report will be available as soon as possible.

: In view of the urgency with which the Government commissioned this report specifically from NESC and in view of the very trenchant comments which the report apparently contains on Government economic and social policy, could the Taoiseach say why this report was not published with greater expedition?

: I would have preferred it to have been available in advance of the debate today, tomorrow and Thursday but there is a set procedure which has to be followed with these NESC reports. That procedure is being followed. I have asked that it be expedited, and as soon as possible the report will be published.

: In view of the very considerable involvement and input on the part of the Government in the preparation of the NESC report, would the Taoiseach agree that it is quite extraordinary that the report has now been on the Government's desk and in the Departments for over a month? Would it be fair to assume that because the report is extremely critical of Government economic and social policies that, in effect, it is about to be buried for another couple of months?

: No, that would be a very mistaken assumption. I assure the Deputy the report will be published shortly.

: After 6 November.

: Hopefully before that. I assure the House that NESC reports are published as rapidly as possible and I think the Deputy will understand that there would be no particular point in any delay.