Social dialogue in the candidate countries

Social dialogue and EMU in the Candidate Countries Workshop

Vienna, 22-24 May 2002

Speech abstract - Kieran Mulvey

Chief Executive, Labour Relations Commission, Ireland

The role of social partnership in preparing for EMU in ireland

Ireland developed a national economic and social consensus involving government, employers, trade unions, farmers and other interest groups, which resulted in:

• Programme for National Recovery 1987-1990

• Programme for Economic and Social Progress 1991-1993

• Programme for Competitiveness and Work 1994-1996

• Partnership 2000 for Inclusion, Employment and Competitiveness 1997-1999

• Programme for Prosperity and Fairness 2000-2002

The programmes covered pay, employment, competitiveness, social inclusion, taxation, education, health and welfare.

The presentation gives an overview of the Irish Social Model 1987-2001, the process of social partnership in Ireland and its economic progress since 1987.

Kieran Mulvey has been chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission since its establishment in 1991. He is in his third period of office in that post. He has served on the boards of the Independent Radio and Television Commission, the governing body of University College Dublin, Dublin City University, the National Health Council and the National Economic and Social Council. He is also Adjunct Professor of Industrial Relations in the National College of Industrial Relations.

Prior to his appointment, Kieran served as general secretary of the University and secondary teachers trade unions for 16 years and was a member of the Executive Council of the ICTU. Mr. Mulvey has also acted as a consultant to the European Union and the International Labour Organisation.