Vol. 487 No. 4
50 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports that will be available to business with regard to overseas trade as we approach EMU; the procedures, if any, in place to avail of this assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4155/98]
A number of measures have been put in place to promote awareness, preparation and competitiveness of Irish business during the run-in period to EMU. These include: a special EMU business awareness campaign led by Forfás; a guide specifically designed for exporters was published by An Bord Tráchtála (ABT) in 1997; both the European offices and staff in Ireland of ABT are available to assist exporters with queries on EMU or currency exchange rate issues; and ABT's export development programme in Europe was stepped up in 1997 with expenditure of £10 million supporting exporters in continental markets, and this is continuing in 1998. Irish exporters of goods and services continue to have available to them a full range of supports through the programmes of the State agencies.
The competitiveness of Irish business is of course, a critical issue in the run up to EMU and beyond. I have recently asked the National Competitiveness Council to establish how we can realise our fullest potential across a range of critical areas such as human resources, communications, trade and innovation and to identify what are the best processes to obtain maximum competitive advantage. The council will shortly submit its first report which will identify priority areas for action and provide reference material for policy makers in all areas of policy to improve Ireland's competitiveness.
