As I and my colleague the Minister for Enterprise and Employment have indicated in recent replies to parliamentary questions on 22 March and 15 March respectively, any increases in raw material prices are part of a general worldwide trend from which Irish industry is not exempt, and, because of the global nature of these increases, I am satisfied that the competitiveness of Irish manufacturers visá-vis their international competitors is not affected.
I understand that the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, who has primary responsibility in this matter, has asked the industrial development agencies to monitor the situation in sectors where the increases have been most apparent, for example the plastics sector. So far, the feedback is that companies are able to pass on the increases to the end user and, therefore, are not being adversely affected. The agencies will continue to monitor the situation and are available to advise and, where possible, assist companies who experience particular difficulties.