Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 March 2004
44 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made by the monitoring process established to consider and track progress in implementing the recommendations of the National Competitiveness Council’s annual report for 2003; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8090/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt its meeting on 20 November 2003, the Government noted two documents prepared by the National Competitiveness Council, namely, the council's annual report for 2003 and its competitiveness challenge 2003. The Government also agreed at that meeting that Ireland's competitiveness status would be considered by the Government every six months.
My Department will be following up, with the relevant Departments, on the recommendations and issues set out in both documents, with a view to making a report to the Government in June of this year. The recommendations set out in the competitiveness challenge 2003 focus on two different but complementary agendas: first, the short-term need to improve the cost competitiveness of the enterprise sector and, second, the medium-term challenge of putting in place the foundations for a more entrepreneurial, dynamic and innovation driven economy. Addressing issues of competitiveness at national and EU level remains a major priority of the Government and the NCC's recommendations will be taken forward in that light.
