Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

The Minister speaks continually about external factors for which he certainly cannot be held responsible. When we joined the euro we lost control of our exchange rates and interest rates but the one thing we can control is inflation. The Minister is probably aware that international indicators of competitiveness rank us as the worst of the euro countries. In light of what the National Competiveness Council recommended, that Ireland should try to get its inflation rate well below the EU average, when will the Minister have an inflation policy in place? What target inflation rates does he expect to put in place? There is a lack of leadership in this area.

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