Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness last met on 14 July and the next meeting is scheduled for 27 November. The membership comprises the Taoiseach; Tánaiste; Minister for Finance; Minister Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, and for Transport; Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine; Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport; and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Other Ministers and Ministers of State are invited to attend when requested.

The committee oversees the implementation of the programme for Government commitments related to sustainable economic and employment growth; trade; competitiveness and productivity; innovation; the national digital strategy and pensions.

Despite many external challenges we continue to see strong economic performance with record numbers of people in work, low unemployment and real wage growth. The economy continues to demonstrate its resilience and ability to adapt to changing global circumstances. As evidenced by last week's budget we will continue to advance an economic model founded on a well-established and successful pro-enterprise policy framework, a stable and sustainable regulatory and tax environment with sound management of the public finances and significant investment in the infrastructure, energy and skills required to ensure our future competitiveness and productivity.

In an increasingly unpredictable global economy a proactive approach to market diversification will promote Ireland's economic resilience, foster competitiveness and productivity and strengthen and support our trade and investment model ensuring sustainable growth. For example, last month I met with Prime Minister Carney. While in Ottawa I launched a comprehensive Ireland-Canada economic report. The report highlights that Ireland is now the tenth-largest investor in Canada, with inward investment flows of more than €14 billion. Trade agreements are essential to our efforts to strengthen our economy, increase market diversification, protect jobs and positively benefit enterprises and consumers alike through increasing their options, reducing tariffs and costs and maintaining standards. Irish and European Union exports to the world facilitated by trade agreements support more than 750,000 jobs here, which is approximately one in three jobs. This trade supports real livelihoods.

I ask the Opposition parties why they continually oppose the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, when it has worked both ways and enhanced jobs in Ireland, created more jobs in Ireland and protected jobs. Yet the Opposition parties opposed it all the way. That is completely out of touch with and disconnected from what puts bread on the table in Ireland. We will continue as a Government to invest in the future of Ireland while preserving the jobs, stability and prosperity of today.

As with all policy areas, issues relating to the economy are regularly discussed also at full Cabinet meetings where all formal decisions are made.

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