There is scepticism about economic planning. In the good times people such as Mr. Charlie McCreevy dismissed economic planning as public servants trying to poke their noses into areas where it would be better if they stayed out. However, consider what that political culture created for us. It created a situation where the Minister was spending money because he had it, encouraging banks to lend at breakneck speeds and the property bubble was being pumped up by tax credits. What was happening in the real economy? It was being destroyed. Our competitiveness ranking fell from fifth to 22nd. The cost of employment in this country, which had been low and was progressively improving, suddenly deteriorated by 25% against Germany and 35% against all our competitors. Almost every indicator from the National Competitiveness Council moved into the amber or red zone. It ranks 130 indicators and 75% are either in amber or red. Why was there not a plan or joined-up thinking in the Government which acknowledged that if we want the type of economy that has been a success, that is, an export-led economy, competitiveness cannot go down the drain on every indicator, including the cost of electricity, waste, transport, rates and waste disposal?

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