Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is true that we have improved in the competitiveness rankings in the past three or four years. Compared with where we were prior to the crisis, much has changed, including in our public finances. There has been tangible progress in certain respects. Unit wage costs have improved relative to our competitors by approximately 20% and property costs have improved dramatically. We have improved across a spectrum, but there are always other areas in which we could improve.

The Deputy was right to draw attention to the ease of starting a business, which is a specific focus of ours. We are ranked 115th for dealing with construction permits and 100th for getting electricity connections, although we believe there may be some inaccurate reporting of the ease of getting some of these services. However, we must improve. We have put teams in place to consider some of the matters in respect of which we are at the wrong end of the spectrum. We are taking steps to address them. We are good in other areas. For example, the Revenue Commissioners come out of the process high on the list and the Companies Registration Office, CRO, has reduced by half the time it takes to establish a company. We are making progress and will focus specifically on all of the areas that affect start-ups.

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