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

We are working with the enterprise agencies to ensure Irish companies are competitive. As I indicated in a previous reply, Enterprise Ireland has contacted its 1,400 companies and is offering them advice on how to become leaner.

Competitiveness is very important. The Deputy referred to a number of statistics. I must take on board what the IMD’s world competitiveness yearbook says, namely, that Ireland has moved from 16th to seventh in its competitiveness ranking. We cannot be complacent, however.

The Deputy referred to the budget and the €1 million ceiling applied here in respect of capital gains as opposed to £10 million in Britain. The Government will examine this issue in the context of budget 2018. I am aware of the issue, which is raised with me in my discussions with businesses.

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