The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) was established in 1973 to advise the Government on the development of the economy and provide a forum for debate between government departments, employers and the trade unions.
Its latest report is a preparatory document to provide a framework for the negotiation of a successor to Partnership 2000. The council has also had a role in benchmarking progress under Partnership 2000.
Previous reports have provided a framework for negotiation of earlier national agreements.
Under the chairmanship of Mr Paddy Teahon, the secretary-general at the Department of the Taoiseach, the council's members include the secretaries-general from the Departments of Finance; Enterprise, Trade & Employment; Tourism, Sport & Recreation; and Social Community and Family Affairs.
Other members include five nominees from the Irish Business and Employers' Confederation (IBEC), six from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), six from the agricultural organisations and nine Government appointees.
Dr Sile O'Connor is NESC director. Its economists are Ms Orla Lane, Mr Cathal Guiomard and Mr Noel Cahill. Mr Joe Larragy is its social policy analyst.
The NESC is distinct from the National Economic and Social Forum, which was established in 1993 to contribute to the development of a wider consensus on social and economic policy, particularly in relation to unemployment.