Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will make a statement on the annual report of the National Competitiveness Council which he launched on 14 October 2004. [28366/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome last month's publication of the National Competitiveness Council, NCC, annual competitiveness report 2004 and its competitiveness challenge 2004. These reports offer us a valuable insight into the present condition of Irish competitiveness, with the annual competitiveness report benchmarking our performance against 15 other countries. The competitiveness challenge report offers detailed recommendations designed to addresses weaknesses in Ireland's competitiveness performance across a range of areas. The key findings of this year's reports show that the economic environment for 2004 has been encouraging to say the least. Significant improvements have been recorded in the growth of GNP, employment and a reduction in the unemployment rate during 2004. Foreign direct investment, business confidence and industrial output have also all recovered strongly in 2004.

However, the key message in the reports is that despite the improvement in Ireland's economic situation in the past 12 months, it is imperative that we do not become complacent in terms of the need to sustain competitiveness, raise productivity and continue long-term structural reform. This reform is necessary to ensure Ireland remains an attractive location for conducting business to safeguard not only our competitiveness but also our continued economic success. The NCC identified a range of issues in the following areas: the business and work environment, economic and technological infrastructure, education and skills, enterprise and enterprise development and finally innovation and creativity.

I am determined that the NCC's recommendations are given careful consideration and where feasible implemented in a timely manner. A monitoring process has been established to consider and oversee the implementation of the NCC recommendations. As part of this process an interdepartmental group chaired by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will consider the recommendations and prepare a report for Government to enable them to evaluate Ireland's competitiveness status including a consideration and evaluation of the NCC recommendations. The interdepartmental group will meet on 30 November to begin this process.

The broad and complex nature of competitiveness, ensuring that Ireland remains competitive is not solely the responsibility of the Government. Sustaining Ireland's competitiveness is dependent on the continued commitment of all the social partners to sustaining our progress.