Vol. 436 No. 5
61 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he has satisfied himself that new policies have been put in place by him that will ensure that the targets set for indigenous industry of increasing exports by £450 million per annum and creating 11,000 gross per annum can be achieved.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the targets for indigenous industry included in the National Plan 1994-1999.
The policies-measures outlined in the National Plan and the Government's response to the Culliton-Moriarty reports, Employment through Enterprise, are designed to improve the competitiveness of indigenous industry, essential if the export and employment targets are to be achieved. I would emphasise that these targets are set over a relatively long time-frame and in a period of increased global uncertainty. They assume a continued improvement in Ireland's overall competitiveness across all facets of the economy and an improvement in international markets over current conditions. For the initial years, based on current economic forecasts, it is likely that targets will only be achieved with difficulty. The targets are, therefore, set as an average performance over the whole period with individual years possibly varying to a considerable degree. They assume a substantial improvement in the growth of our international trading partners from 1994 on.
I am, however, satisfied that policies have been put in place to ensure that the targets are achieved to the maximum extent possible.
