Vol. 450 No. 7
17 Mr. T. Kitt asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if a study will be carried out of Irish companies that might be exposed to competition from eastern and central European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5640/95]
No specific study is contemplated at this time into the subject area referred to by the Deputy. However, I understand that Forfáas, as a function of its input into policy development, is considering undertaking such a study some time in the future. For the information of the Deputy, my Department, together with the development agencies, regularly monitors market developments. Policy initiatives, strategies or specific measures including at times, where appropriate, studies on particular aspects of competitiveness, are initiated on the basis of that monitoring.
For example, Forbairt constantly monitors the market situation in relation to its client companies. In addition to sectoral studies carried out on an ongoing basis, individual company development work focuses on identifying the key success factors which will enable these companies to achieve sustainable advantage, in some instances, in the face of market threats from central and eastern Europe.
