Mr. Ian Talbot:

I thank the Cathaoirleach and the members of the committee for the opportunity to address the committee today. We welcome your focus on competitiveness and the cost of doing business.

Adequate, efficient infrastructure is paramount to our competitiveness and critical considering the demands of our growing population, which is anticipated to increase to 6.4 million by 2042. While the housing shortage has been the most visible component, the underlying services critical to housing delivery such as energy, water and wastewater treatment and public transport require prioritisation in all regions of the State. Compounding the lack of delivery are the frequent challenges to planning, judicial reviews and other delaying tactics. The impact of delays are numerous and they are not victimless decisions. The cost is ultimately paid by the consumer and taxpayer, and this contributes negatively to both the cost of living as well as the cost of business. They include dramatically increasing the cost of delivery of projects that are delayed, even if they ultimately proceed. For example, this includes maintenance of the project during the delivery period, reapplying for planning approval or legislative requirements that are implemented while issues are being resolved; legal, interest and other costs obtaining the approvals; obsolescence of material originally envisaged and needing redesign; and inflationary pressures. They contribute to driving up the cost of living as well by limiting access to essential services, increasing transportation and housing costs and reducing economic efficiency. The lack of availability consequently impacts productivity as people cannot access jobs or services efficiently, companies struggle to attract talent and there is a constraint on social mobility insofar as high living costs and limited access to services trap individuals in cycles of poverty. Delays further cause significant costs incurred by the State on projects which are abandoned and the opportunity cost of State resources, such as planners and the court system, occupied on resolving planning and other legal issues which could be spent on other matters, particularly where such expertise is in short supply or constrained. Going forward we urge Government to prioritise capital spend and critical infrastructure over other measures. Investment in infrastructure supports all businesses, regardless of size and there has to be a commitment to multiyear budgets for capital expenditure. As so many economies are seeking to diversify, open new markets and build key energy infrastructure, we need the ability to contract for equipment which we know will be required in the medium to long term or we risk exponential cost increases or even lack of availability. In terms of the cost of business, the topics of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum, which some of our members participate in, are all essential to maintain our competitiveness and ensure our productivity continues to grow. Ensuring our commitments to international agreements is equally vital and we need to support indigenous companies, importer and exporters alike, in availing of the huge opportunities offered by the EU Single Market and free trade agreements. Connectivity is also critical to access new markets, and we welcome progress being made to lift the Dublin Airport cap.

Finally, we urge all members of the committee and all Oireachtas Members to support the holding of a referendum on the Unified Patent Court, UPC, in the near future and to prioritise a "Yes" vote. The UPC can play a critical role in protecting and promoting innovation and making intellectual property protection more accessible for many entrepreneurs. Seeing such positive stories at the annual young scientist awards really brings home how important passing the UPC is for budding innovators and the job creators of the future. I ask all of members to consider the proposals highlighted in our submission which have advancing our competitiveness at their core and I thank members for their attention.