Michael Mulcahy (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)

My constituents will also have the chance to hold me accountable.

There is no doubt that one of the main issues in regard to this economy is competitiveness. I join forces with those on both sides of the House who have urged the Government to address this issue with even more vigour than it has done heretofore. I refer to some areas in which this needs to be done. The cost of services is unacceptable, whether for communications, broadcasting or energy. I agree with the remarks of Deputy Tom Hayes in regard to broadband. The simple solution is competition. It is time we broke down the barriers. We still have restrictive regimes in regard to broadcasting, energy and communications. Let us shake away those shackles and bring real competition to those sectors. The only future for Ireland as an economy is as a competitive one operating at the top of the food chain and not at the bottom.

I also support further and deeper regional development. For too long the attitude of the IDA and other agencies has been that Dublin is the only show in town, and I say that as a former Lord Mayor of Dublin. That is a recipe for disaster and we need to further develop all of the regions. In that regard, the case Waterford Institute of Technology makes for full university status should be supported. I would like to see more institutions from Dublin being sent down the country. I am happy that the regionalisation programme of this Government is succeeding. I have tried on behalf of several constituents to get their jobs moved out of Dublin, although unsuccessfully because many of the projects have been oversubscribed. I found the comments of Deputy Richard Bruton a little disappointing in that he failed to acknowledge the success this programme has been.

I agree with some of the comments of Deputy Michael Ring on semi-State agencies, quangos etc., although not with the way they were made. However, he forgot to say that the Minister indicated in his budget speech that there would be an efficiency review of all Departments, which should report back by 1 March. I ask the Minister that the efficiency review is published and sent to a joint Oireachtas committee to see which of the State agencies can be amalgamated and which are absolutely essential. I have no doubt that some of them have duplicative functions, some can be amalgamated and some may be beyond their sell by date. We must do all we can at all stages to reduce the taxation burden on this economy so that we can remain as competitive as possible.

This year will probably be a difficult one on the international economic horizon but whatever we do, we must not raise taxation because that would only hinder our competitiveness. We should encourage entrepreneurs from all over the world to come to Ireland, which we have not done very successfully so far. One way to make that happen is to make our visa system quicker and more transparent.

I support what the Minister has done in regard to stamp duty. We also need education reform. However, if the Government stays within its programme as outlined in the budget and in this Bill, we can have much prosperity in this country for many years to come.

See this speech in context