Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 20, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on the economy and investment was re-established by the Government on 10 April and most recently met on Monday, 1 July. The next meeting of that Cabinet committee has not yet been scheduled. Membership of the committee comprises me, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence, the Ministers for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Transport, Finance, Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Other Ministers or Ministers of State are invited to participate as required. The committee oversees the implementation of programme for Government commitments aimed at sustainable economic recovery, investment and job creation, including Harnessing Digital, our national digital strategy.

Despite many external challenges, we continue to see a very strong economic performance from the economy, with more people at work than ever before, low levels of unemployment and, thankfully, a return this year to real wage growth. Inflation continues to fall while households and businesses have been supported through the cost-of-living crisis. The Government remains committed to continuing to support people through that crisis. Our economic model continues to be founded on a well-established and successful pro-enterprise policy framework, providing a stable and sustainable regulatory and tax environment, with sound management of the public finances and significant investment in the infrastructure and skills required to ensure our future competitiveness.

As with all policy areas, economic issues are not just discussed at the Cabinet committee, but regularly at full Government meetings, where all formal decisions are made.

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