A SUGGESTION by the Fianna Fail leader that a minister be assigned responsibility for co ordinating Partnership 2000 was rejected by the Taoiseach.

Mr Bertie Ahern said that too much was taken for granted in the social partnership over the past few years and a far more hands on approach was required. "If it is to work into the future, somebody has to be directly responsible to deal with all the social partners."

Mr Bruton said that as Taoiseach he had responsibility for overall maintenance of the social partnership. "And I meet on a regular basis with the social partners, both together and individually.

Within the Department of the Taoiseach, there was a unit headed by an assistant secretary, which maintained, on an ongoing basis, daily contact with the social partners regarding all matters, pay and non pay. He thought it appropriate that overall responsibility for social partnership should rest with the Taoiseach, he said.

Asked by Mr Ahern about the Garda pay claim, the Taoiseach said that a fundamental review of Garda efficiency and effectiveness was under way to examine the role of the force, and how it functioned, and it would make recommendations very soon. This would be the best context in which to look at any changes in payment that might arise as a result of changes in practice, procedure and productivity.