Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 June 2011
42 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans for reform of wage levels for highly paid professionals such as consultants and lawyers and other sheltered sections of the labour force. [14712/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order for the Irish economy to make the necessary transition from a reliance on domestic demand to sustainable export-led growth in the medium term, a convergence of Irish costs, charges, professional fees, etc towards the levels of Ireland's trading partners is required. Therefore, to improve Ireland's relative cost competitiveness, there is a need to achieve reductions in costs faster than the Eurozone average. Ensuring competition within Ireland's domestic economy is vital to improving overall competitiveness. More competition will result in better value for money, lower prices for consumers and greater opportunities for job creation. Well-run markets are vital from every side of the perspective.
The Competition Authority has published a number of reports resulting from studies it carried out on various sectors or professions since 2004. The reports usually contain a suite of recommendations, aimed at improving competition in the relevant area and are addressed to the responsible Government Department or body. Such reports have included the medical and legal professions.
Responsibility for any proposals aimed at ending apparent restrictions on competition in a particular sector rests with the Minister with responsibility for that particular policy area. For example, policy proposals concerning the legal and medical sectors are matters for my colleagues, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Health respectively. I understand that both Ministers are working on proposals in respect of these sectors at present.
Given the responsibility of my Department for competition policy in general, I will be reporting to Government shortly on the progress achieved by a number of Government Departments in the implementation of the Competition Authority recommendations and I will continue to work with my Government colleagues to ensure that everything is done to help improve competitiveness in their areas of responsibility.
