Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are conscious of the issue of competitiveness. Enormous progress has been made in recent years. We have stabilised the public finances. We also have the fastest growing economy in Europe and are now almost at full employment. We should be proud of the progress we have made. However, the Government is determined to ensure there will be no complacency. We are acutely aware of the vulnerabilities in the domestic economy such as low productivity levels in indigenous firms, with growing uncertainty in the global economy and Brexit. We must ensure the economy is well positioned to adapt to a low carbon future, as well as the revolution in digitisation and automation. Otherwise, we could see negative economic and employment impacts in the future. The Government has recognised the need for a concrete and co-ordinated plan to address these challenges and opportunities. That is why in July it agreed to the development of the future jobs initiative which will be a whole-of-government approach, with concrete and ambitious actions to enhance productivity, create quality and sustainable jobs and build a resilient and innovative economy. It will ensure we will be well positioned to adapt to technological and other transformational changes that the economy will face in the years ahead.

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