Well-being Framework

Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh

I am an enthusiastic supporter of the well-being framework and the move to go beyond GDP in how we assess the health of our economy in order to remind ourselves that the economy should work for society and not the other way around. I want to raise three issues that should be part of the discussion on how we implement it.

First, the Taoiseach mentioned the summer economic statement and the national economic dialogue. We really have to stitch the framework into these. It has to involve more than just tagging. It has to be more than just window-dressing. It has to be central to the entire budgetary process.

Second, we need a watchdog with teeth to make sure that this happens. In Wales, that role is discharged ably by the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner. Second Stage of a Bill I tabled will be taken in the Dáil next Thursday. I have asked to meet with the Taoiseach to discuss it. The UN Summit of the Future coming up in September. There is a great opportunity for Ireland and, indeed, the Taoiseach to bring something positive to that summit in terms of what we want to do about future generations.

Third, I have advocated consistently for an 11th dimension around culture and language. The well-being framework, as it is currently constituted, has very little to say about culture and has practically nothing at all to say about language. How we feel within society is so pivotal in terms of the cultural experience and our ability to express ourselves in our own language.

Taoiseach, Simon Harris

I would be pleased to meet Deputy Ó Cathasaigh on his legislation and to discuss the 11th dimension that he believes is needed in the context of the dashboard around the culture and language. I agree. that the purpose here is, to use the Deputy’s words “to stitch” the well-being framework to our budgetary process. I would be happy to meet him on his legislation and very happy to have that discussion about how we monitor, who is the watchdog, etc. My office will be in touch with the Deputy to arrange that with him.