Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased Deputy Collins has raised this issue.

Overall, the National Competitiveness Council has concluded that Ireland's cost base has improved over the past five years. We are now ranked seventh in the IMD World Competitiveness Centre report. However, we cannot be complacent. Ireland remains a relatively high-cost location for several key business inputs. Significant cost pressures remain for many Irish-based companies, especially property and business services.

The Government is committed to the costs elements within our control. However, some significant cost pressures are outside our control, including oil prices, exchange rates and Brexit. Our focus must be on those costs over which we have some influence within Ireland. The Action Plan for Jobs has a number of actions across Government to support cost competitiveness. These include, for example, the cost of credit and insurance costs. The Government has also placed a priority on addressing property and housing costs. I assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with other Ministers on cost issues. I am keen to ensure the council's recommendations are considered by the relevant Cabinet committees. My objective is to foster a competitive business environment for all businesses.

Deputy Collins referred to the rip-off culture. As Minister, I do not want to see that re-surface in Ireland. I will be keeping a close eye on this, as will my Department and the Cabinet committees investigating and dealing with this matter.

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