Seanad debates

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

Developments in the European Union and Ireland's Presidency of the European Council: Statements with An Taoiseach

 

Senator Quinn mentioned a number of specific areas which are important and these relate to the speed of decision-making and the political follow-through. I like his comment about competitiveness. We have come back into the global top 20. I will endeavour to arrange a ministerial Council meeting on competitiveness to be held in Dublin to be chaired by the Minister, Deputy Bruton. This is a very important area in a European sense and is even more important for an exporting nation such as Ireland. I have stated on many occasions that my ambition is for Ireland to be seen by 2016 to be the best small country in the world in which to do business. We are number one for productivity and flexibility and for availability of skilled labour. We have a number of other challenges one of which is competitiveness.

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