Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I will read a short quotation which states:

Competitiveness is not a vague concept. It is critical for the creation and retention of jobs . . . [Today] we are 15th out of 16 countries on prices and wages; 15th out of 16 on infrastructure; 11th out of 16 on IT; 15th out of 16 on transport; and 12th out of 16 on research . . . . Ireland is the joint most expensive country in the eurozone for consumer goods.

That quotation comes from a contribution I made in response to the budget in 2003. The legacy of this sort of mismanagement is not new, it has drifted on for a number of years now. The signs have been there but precious little has been done. Just last week, as the Taoiseach is aware, the IMF stated in its report that Ireland is the most expensive country in the eurozone.

In February the Tánaiste asked the Competition Authority to produce a report in respect of the retail-related import and distribution sector. That report was published this morning and it stated that the problem of higher costs and competitiveness is a long-term issue that needs to be addressed. It is stated in the report that this problem is within our control — that is the only phrase underlined in the entire report. It goes on to point out that tackling factors that raise the cost of doing business is the best way of ensuring that Irish retail and production sectors are capable of competing with their counterparts in Britain and beyond. That is the reality. When will we get to grips with this? It has been going on since before 2003.

In respect of the constructive suggestions made by Fine Gael, and now with the Competition Authority pointing out that the solution to this problem is within our own grasp, will the Taoiseach give me three tangible actions the Government now intends taking to restore competitiveness to what it was in the mid-1990s, when Ireland was nimble, flexible and in front? We know what the problem is and we were told today by the Competition Authority that the answer is within our grasp. I ask the Taoiseach to respond in terms of tangible and positive action the Government intends to take.

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