Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

The Minister is welcome to the Chamber for his first visit this term. This is a topic that is central to Ireland's prosperity and future and our nation's competitiveness. When we talk about competitiveness, we are discussing our ability to thrive in a global marketplace, attract investment, foster innovation and create a high quality of life for our citizens. The good news is that Ireland continues to punch well above its weight. The Minister mentioned that the Institute for Management Development ranked Ireland at fourth globally in 2024. We remain the most competitive country in the European area. This is not just a number; it is a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of our people, to our businesses and to our strategic policy choices.

Around the world, we are witnessing growing challenges to the foundation of international trade. Tariffs, in particular, have emerged once again as a threat to our open rules-based trading system that has underpinned decades of economic growth. Let us be clear: tariffs are economically and socially destructive. They drive up the cost of doing business, reduce market access and, ultimately, place upward pressure on prices for households. Worse still, they could create a climate of uncertainty that discourages investment and stifles innovation. No country wins in tariff wars. Businesses delay investment, consumers pay more and international co-operation weakens.

My colleague has mentioned that one of the most critical areas where we need to sharpen our focus is infrastructure. While we have seen improvements, our infrastructure performance, in particular in basic areas like water and energy, continues to lag compared to our peers. I welcome what the Minister said in his opening speech on this. High electricity costs can impact businesses' competitiveness. Addressing these deficits is paramount for sustainable growth and attracting future investment.

Another area that demands attention is cost pressures. Issues such as the cost of credit, legal services and insurance can significantly impact our small and medium-sized enterprises which are the backbone of our economy. Ensuring a competitive cost environment for businesses is vital.

Competitiveness requires constant vigilance and continuous investment. Our ability to attract investment, retain talent and foster innovation is grounded in a few key advantages, namely our access to the European Single Market, our English-speaking workforce and, above all, our highly skilled and talented pool. In a world where talent is the new currency for competitiveness, Ireland's future will depend not just on the strength of our economy today but also on how we prepare for tomorrow. We must ensure that our further and higher education system is agile, responsive and aligned with the needs of a modern economy. As a member of the new artificial intelligence committee, I know that we need to prepare our workforce for jobs that do not exist but will exist and drive our economy in five years' time.

Whether it is digital technologies, green energy, advanced manufacturing or life sciences, the demand for skills is evolving rapidly. We need to double down in developing those skills and that means expanding apprenticeships, deepening links between industry and education and investing in lifelong learning to ensure workers can adapt as roles change.

Irish businesses have never lacked ambition, but in order to remain competitive and thrive we must match ambition with strategy, investment and a national commitment to resilience. Ireland's competitive spirit is strong. We have built a resilient and attractive economy driven by our talented workforce and pro-enterprise environment, which the Minister has driven, but we cannot afford to be complacent. By strategically addressing our infrastructural needs, managing cost pressures and continually investing in innovation skills, we can ensure that Ireland not only maintains its competitive edge but continues to thrive as a leading global economy for years to come.