Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Last year the Taoiseach told the IMI: "We will keep down personal and business taxes in order to strengthen and maintain the competitive position of the Irish economy." We were told that the Government intended to launch an onslaught and a flood of announcements by Ministers about their plans to tackle inflation. The Taoiseach will be aware that the recent report by the National Competitiveness Council was a savage indictment of the efforts of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government to control inflation and implement policies which would maintain business and consumer costs. Ireland is now Europe's most expensive country. According to the National Competitiveness Council, decisions by Government, its agencies and regulators have contributed adversely to inflation. In other words, far from being a solution to the problem, Government is part of the problem.

The Taoiseach will be aware that for business, competitiveness is not just a buzzword. Costs have increased, cheques must still be paid, price increases cannot be passed on, contracts are lost and jobs are placed in danger. The Taoiseach will be aware of the 27 stealth charges imposed on the Irish business and consumer sector since 2002. VAT has risen by 8%, ESB charges soared by 13%, parking fees are up 25%, accident and emergency charges have increased to €45, the drugs refund threshold level has been raised to €78 and leaving certificate examination fees have gone up to €86. In the Estimates last week, the drugs refund threshold level went up again, to €85, accident and emergency visit charges increased by €10 to €55 and inpatient stay charges went up €10 to €55.

We seem to have a unique regulation where, for instance, price increases in gas and electricity are allowed by the regulator on the basis that this will encourage competition. There have been 34 new stealth charges. Last week's Estimates saw €50 million being collected by means of increased health charges. Fine Gael has been highlighting rip-offs in Irish society over recent years and thousands of ordinary people have sent in their stories to the relevant website. Will the Taoiseach tell the House of three tangible initiatives taken by the Government that have helped to increase Ireland's competitiveness, which is so important for our future?

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