Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 686: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has monitored the extent to which Irish goods being exported are maintaining a competitive edge against all others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25984/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Through Enterprise Ireland, the Government supports the growth of Irish exports by working with individual companies in identifying new product and market opportunities and devising and implementing appropriate strategies to capitalise on them. Enterprise Ireland client companies delivered a good export performance in 2004, following the global economic growth revival that began in the latter part of 2003. New export sales from Enterprise Ireland clients improved, reaching €10.167 billion, a rise of 5.6% on 2003.

Companies in Ireland have been facing a number of competitiveness pressures in recent years as a result of the availability of lower cost labour in the new member states in eastern Europe and the continuing growth of the Asian economies. The strength of the euro relative to the other global currencies, particularly the dollar, has also had an impact on Irish exports. Competitiveness and productivity improvements are critical for Irish companies to achieve sustained export growth. Enterprise Ireland launched its new "Strategy Transforming Irish Industry 2005-2007" and announced the establishment of a new division to work with client companies to maintain and improve competitiveness. This new technology automation and productivity division will support companies in the early adoption of manufacturing best practice, automation, benchmarking against international competitors, supply chain management and technology licensing, to increase efficiencies, productivity and reduce time to market.

In addition, Enterprise Ireland has launched three new initiatives aimed at driving the productivity of client companies. These include a new productivity improvement fund to increase competitiveness through technology and training, roll out of the "TechSearch" initiative to assist clients identify new technology acquisition opportunities, and offering a holistic supply chain capability building measure, through the supply chain management or SCM initiative.

The development and sale of new innovative products and services demanded by consumers in markets around the globe is central to maintaining a competitive edge. To this end, Enterprise Ireland continues to work intensively with Irish entrepreneurs, companies and research institutions, offering a range of research and development supports, to ensure that innovative ideas of today become the products and services that give Irish companies an international competitive advantage into the future.