Bernard J. Durkan
Question:152 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which the partnership agreement remains on course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30447/03]
Written Answers. - Social Partnership.
I am satisfied that good progress is being made on the implementation of Sustaining Progress. Two detailed progress reports have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. A basic objective of the recent budget is to secure competitiveness by keeping inflation low. Global competition is exerting downward pressure on prices and incomes. As an open economy, we are more exposed than most. We face intensifying competition for international investment and the jobs that go with it. We need to ensure that we limit wage increases to those set out in Sustaining Progress. We also need to ensure that we can get our costs and prices back into line with the rest of the EU.