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

Ireland's competitiveness has improved considerably over the past five years. Ireland has moved from 7th in the IMD’s World Competitiveness Yearbook, up from 16th. Our improved competitiveness has been central to recent strong economic growth.

However, as the National Competitiveness Council has warned in recent months, the global outlook is precarious. The recent UK referendum result adds to the uncertainty in the external environment. The key challenge for us now is to remain focused on the addressing the competitiveness policy areas that are within our control domestically. A programme for a partnership Government is committed to sustaining the focus on structural reform across the economy and to attaining a top tier competitiveness position.

As a first step, last week I brought the council's forthcoming Competitiveness Scorecard to Cabinet where it was discussed. It was also considered by Government yesterday. I will be working with Ministers on the key issues identified by the council. The Government is committed to ensuring fiscal sustainability. We will step up investment in infrastructure. We will drive the implementation of our research strategy Innovation 2020. I will be, and I am, working with the enterprise agencies, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, on consolidating our trading relationship with the UK and on broadening our trade and investment footprint in growth markets.

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