asked the Minister for Energy when the consultancy study he has initiated into the activities of Bord na Móna will become available.

34.

asked the Minister for Energy when it is expected that the consultants appointed to examine Bord na Móna will report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose taking Priority Question No. 3 and Question No. 34 together.

I received the consultants' report yesterday evening. This is a comprehensive report which covers all Bord na Móna's activities and which will now be fully examined in my Department.

I wish to ask two questions. First, have the consultants considered the appropriateness of the measures that the Minister has enshrined in legislation to carry out the recommendations they are making? Second, will these recommendations have a bearing on the contract scheme currently being promoted by Bord na Móna?

The consultants' report has examined all aspects including the two aspects referred to by the Deputy. As to whether they will have a bearing on the outcome, negotiations are continuing between the unions and Bord na Móna management on a variety of issues, the enterprise scheme being only one of those. I look forward to a fairly successful outcome of the negotiations and the indications at present are fairly positive.

Will the Minister publish the report for the benefit of the House and those entering into negotiations? Is the Minister satisfied that all this work on the new legislation and on the negotiations on the contract system should go ahead in the dark and without knowing the consultants' recommendations?

There is no conflict between the proposals being put forward in the legislation and what appears to be contained in the report — although I have only had an opportunity to have a very cursory look at the report. There is no question of working in a vacuum. Second, in due course I will make a decision with regard to the publication of the report and I look forward to being in a position to do that.

I want to deal with the Deputy's remaining question also.

Will the Minister reach a decision before the Committee Stage of the Bill?

I have been informed today that the Second Stage will proceed next week and I hope to be in a position to have completed the study of the report well in advance of the Committee Stage of the Bill