Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The cost of doing business is a major issue for Irish competitiveness. As stated by the Minister, Ireland is a small open economy and we rely on our businesses to compete internationally and at home. The latest National Competitiveness Council report is another detailed examination of serious Irish competitiveness deficiencies across the board. The Minister is correct that we cannot take anything for granted. Ireland remains an expensive location in which to do business across several cost metrics, including property, insurance, transport, energy and business services. The cost of doing business report states that the cost profile of Ireland is a high cost, at the same level as Japan, Iceland, Denmark and Sweden. I ask the Minister to set out the actionable timetable for the implementation across her Department of the recommendations of the National Competitiveness Council, if possible?

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