Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The gains we made in competitiveness were necessary and enforced. It was an enormous correction in the economy. The signs are there now when we look at the rising costs businesses and workers are facing. These include energy costs, the cost of insurance, which we have addressed in this House many times, transport costs, childcare costs and the gender pay gap, which also needs to be addressed from a policy perspective. Capacity issues are evident in the economy. This is a point in the cycle where we need to ramp up the delivery of investment and the delivery of the homes that people require. How is the Minister going to ensure that the economy remains competitive and that we deliver the investment required to build the homes that are needed, while ensuring that he avoids the overheating pressures that are beginning to simmer? Those pressures are evident; one can see them again around the place.

See this speech in context