Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have some broader macro-type questions. We know that Brexit is coming down the tracks and is a threat. However, my questions follow from questions such as that which Deputy Kelleher asked about our economy, how we react and the fact that every time we have reacted in the past, we did so from a position of weakness. When the crash happened, we reacted. Our competitiveness was being questioned in 2006 and 2007 in the context of wage inflation. We took a hit in the multinational sector and then in construction, so it was a double whammy. We have recovered and we are coming towards 5% unemployment which is very welcome. We are now in a position of strength. What is being put in place to see us through the likely threats in the next two to three or three to five years? How will we keep our economy on edge? How are we going to keep that edginess that has got us from 15% unemployment to 5%? If we start resting on our laurels, we will be caught again. It is about making changes from a position of strength.

Beyond Brexit, what major threats to the economy does the Department foresee over the next three years? I want more meat on the bone in this regard. What will be the implications of these threats.

Finally, can the officials outline specifics on what progress it has made in Asia to grow Ireland's footprint? Ideally, what resources would they like to have in Asia in order to develop our economy and mitigate the threats?