I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 87 and 89 together.
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that Ireland remains competitive as a guarantee to future economic success and to correctly position ourselves to take advantage of improvements in the global economy. The annual competitiveness report for 2002, which was produced by the National Competitiveness Council, while confirming many of Ireland's strengths, highlighted the many challenges we face and the difficult choices we have to make in the present uncertain global economic environment.
Strengthening competitiveness requires a number of actions and the Government is fully committed to taking these appropriate measures, as I have stated on previous occasions. The recent IMF report, Ireland: 2003 Article lV Consultation, commended the Irish authorities "for their exemplary track record of sound economic policies, which have resulted in a dynamic, open and robust economy with growth notably above the EU average over the past decade and resilience to external shocks."