Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 4

Written Answers. - Competitiveness Levels.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

124 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the findings of the recently published Fifth Annual Competitiveness Report and Competitiveness Challenge of the National Competitiveness Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1287/03]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney):

The Annual Competitiveness Report 2002 surveys the competitive position of the Irish economy on the international stage. The report examines a range of competitiveness issues, presenting a picture of the unfolding competitive position across the economy. It establishes that Ireland has improved its ranking in 24 indicators, disimproved in 29 and remained constant in a further 14. The report confirms many of Ireland's strengths while the Challenge document highlights the key challenges we face as well as recommendations for addressing them. The National Competitiveness Council highlighted, in particular, three broad areas of concern to national competitiveness. These are the rapid rise in non-employment costs and consumer prices; employment costs, productivity and social partnership – the rapid rise in wage costs in recent years; and the infrastructure deficit across the country and the costs resulting from this.

The National Competitiveness Council believes that both the domestic Irish economy and the glo bal economy face difficult times ahead. Given that Ireland is one of the most open economies in the world, it is important that steps are taken to position the economy to maximise the benefits and growth potential from any upturn in the global economy. Renewing competitiveness both within the domestic economy and on the international stage has also been identified as being critical for our economic well-being by the National Economic and Social Council and has been factored into the recent social partner discussions. The Government is determined that the conditions for enterprise operating in Ireland should be as favourable as possible. This encompasses the costs that business face, the skills level in the population, the physical infrastructure, the regulatory environment and other factors. These reports and the comprehensive list of policy actions designed to enhance Ireland's competitive position will continue to be to the forefront in our policy formulation.