Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2017
29. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to reverse the continual fall in business competitiveness levels and making Ireland an attractive location for businesses to locate, particularly competitiveness standing with the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30226/17]
View answerIreland’s competitiveness performance is particularly vital in light of the challenges posed by Brexit. The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook published this month shows Ireland’s competitiveness ranking has improved for the third year in a row. We are now ranked the 6th most competitive economy in the world and 2nd most competitive in the Euro area. This is our best performance since 2000. It reflects significant and continuous improvements in rankings related to economic performance, business efficiency, government efficiency and infrastructure. It is an important signal to international investors. The UK is ranked 19th, a fall of one place since last year.
In 2016, Ireland's ranking improved from 24th to 23rd out of 138 countries in the 2016 World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report. The World Bank's Ease of Doing Business report shows Ireland is ranked 18th, ahead of the UK in terms of ease of starting a business and paying tax but behind in the overall rankings.
Brexit means we must do more to enhance our attractiveness as a location to start and grow a business. Recent reports by the National Competitiveness Council have highlighted the need to continually enhance competitiveness performance. I share the Council’s view that to further improve competitiveness we must preserve fiscal sustainability, maximise investment in infrastructure and talent, maintain cost competiveness, and drive innovation and productivity across all economic sectors.
As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, my focus is on ensuring Ireland enhances its competitiveness as a location in which to run a business. Through the Action Plan for Jobs, my Department is working to improve the ease and cost of doing business, increase enterprise innovation capacity and productivity. We are driving the implementation of our research strategy, Innovation 2020. We are putting more people on the ground in foreign markets to attract investment, assisting Irish businesses which export to the UK and helping others diversify into new products and markets. Competitiveness is key to success in international markets. Facilitating businesses to improve their competitiveness will remain a key focus for my Department.
