Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there will be any shift in the enterprise policy of the new Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18984/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The performance of the enterprise sector has been pivotal to the huge success of the Irish economy in recent years and Ireland's long term economic success will depend on the continued strength of our enterprise base. There are almost half a million more people at work now than 6 years ago and while overall economic performance remains strong the Government is committed to increasing the number of high-paid jobs and knowledge intensive investment needed to sustain our performance into the future.

Ireland is no longer a low cost economy and manufacturers in particular are facing increased competition from producers in lower cost economies. The model of manufacturing in developed countries is changing and Irish enterprises are adapting to those changes and engaging in higher value added activities in order to compete in the global marketplace. This has been achieved as a result of increased productivity, technology levels and sophisticated skills of Irish employees. Competition for foreign direct investment (FDI) is also relentless but Ireland continues to punch above its weight when it comes to attracting overseas investment. While costs are higher, we have responded by positioning ourselves as a location for more advanced activities, with more qualified and better paying jobs.

The new Programme for Government contains a range of commitments focused on maintaining and enhancing our framework competitive conditions, and promoting new areas of competitive advantage, including by developing our R&D base, investing in critical physical and communications infrastructures, and promoting tertiary education and lifelong learning. Over the period of the new National Development Plan the Government will provide €3.3bn investment specifically to support the development of the indigenous and FDI enterprise base.

While there will be no radical change in course in our approach to enterprise policy, there may be shifts in emphasis, informed inter alia by the work of the High Level Group on Manufacturing and the new Enterprise Ireland strategy 2008-2010, currently being prepared in close consultation with my Department, which will include renewed focus on driving growth in the indigenous service sector.