Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister and thank him for coming to the Chamber today to discuss the important issue of competitiveness. I wish him well in his portfolio.

It is safe to say the economy is strong and the employment statistics are very strong; however, as others have said, we must not be complacent. The threats from global uncertainty and tariffs from the United States have to be taken seriously. I am aware that the Minister has had a number of trade missions. The St. Patrick's Day visits, although sometimes frowned upon, play a very important and beneficial role in reaching out across the world, including to the US in this instance.

Competition and competitiveness are important. I welcome the fact that Ireland was fourth in the IMD world competitiveness ranking in 2024 but, as the Minister has said, we must not be complacent and should always aim to be ranked one higher or at least maintain our existing ranking. In that regard, the measures Deputy Burke has taken since becoming Minister have been important. They have been important in sustaining small businesses, including in relation to the timeframe for the implementation of the living wage, which was extended. Further changes to statutory sick leave have been postponed and we are keeping our statutory sick leave entitlement at five days. It is a matter of providing certainty to businesses, which were crying out for it with regard to certain issues, including auto-enrolment.

I acknowledge the commitments in the programme for Government on competitiveness. My colleague Senator Linda Nelson Murray has touched on the importance of insurance and insurance reform, on which Fine Gael will have a Private Members' motion in two weeks' time.

There is the competitiveness of the country as a whole but there is also the competitiveness of different regions. Coming as I do from Galway, I believe the challenges and pressures there differ from those that may exist in the Minister's home area, Mullingar, and elsewhere. The review of the national development plan will be so important to the future development of the country, including rural and regional areas.

Others have touched on the investment that is necessary in Irish Water and the use of the Apple tax, as long as it is available, to deliver accommodation. The shortfall in accommodation is part of our competitiveness weakness and it is a genuine issue. It is important to be cognisant of it if trying to encourage expansion and future investment in the country,. The Minister is cognisant of it, as indeed are we.

For several years in Galway, we have had ownership of the old Galway Airport site. It is in the ownership of Galway county and city councils. There has been a lot of talk about the plans for the 118-acre site. There has been a lot of discussion about a master plan for it. The latest soundings seem to indicate it may be offered for sale to the Department or IDA Ireland for future investment in the region. I wanted to draw the Minister's attention to that but I am sure he is aware of it. We know about the importance of having land banks. The Minister has mentioned this here. The airport site is a land bank. If the intention is to dispose of the property, it would have to be subject to councillors' approval. The site is too valuable to be left in limbo. If it can be used in full or in part for job creation, that should be explored.

I welcome the Minister's commitment on the programme for Government commitments on the action plan for competitiveness and I also welcome the fact that he has brought this forward. It will be dealt with solely within his Department. Although he will be liaising with other Departments, it is important that it be under one Department. The Department of business is the obvious place for it. The Minister, although he will be liaising with the other Departments, will be ensuring the measures are fast-tracked, approved by the Cabinet as quickly as possible, and subsequently implemented.

The Minister should look back to the successes of his predecessor's action plan for jobs. Thankfully, we do not need an action plan for jobs at the moment but that is not to say we should not be thinking about job creation and maintenance in the future. An action plan for competitiveness would be very welcome. I wish the Minister well in his role in the years ahead.