Vol. 522 No. 4
61 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans she has to establish a competitiveness review mechanism that would promote an enterprise culture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18833/00]
The National Competitiveness Council was established in June 1997 under the Partnership 2000 agreement to advise the Taoiseach and Government on key competitiveness issues for the economy and to make recommendations to promote our competitive position. The council comprises 12 members, representative of enterprise and trade unions, and all the main Departments have observer status; secretariat functions are provided by Forfás.
The council issues annual competitiveness reports comparing our performance with other countries and a competitiveness challenge statement which outlines the main domestic issues affecting our competitiveness and the council's recommendations thereon. Copies of all these documents are available in the Library.
The council's work programme for this year will focus seven priority areas namely, social partnership, people, costs, infrastructure, telecommunications and e-business, competitiveness and regulation and science and technology.
