Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the extent to which he has identified energy, transport or other costs as a deterrent to economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19669/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the extent to which he or his Department have over the past ten years monitored the cause or causes of a growing lack of competitiveness in the economy; the conclusions; the action taken arising from therefrom; the result of the action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19671/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the action that he has taken or proposes to take to improve the competitiveness of the economy with particular reference to competing with other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19687/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 106 and 114 together.

The National Competitiveness Council (NCC) monitors our competitiveness and publishes an annual report "Benchmarking Ireland's Progress". Many of the issues which have been identified by the NCC have been addressed, such as improving productivity, action on energy prices and increasing competition in the economy.

Since January 2008, Ireland has regained competitiveness as domestic inflation remains below that of our main trading partners and the euro weakened – in February 2010, Ireland's real harmonised competitiveness indicator (HCI) was back to its January 2005 position.

Improving our relative cost competitiveness requires the cost of doing business in Ireland to fall relative to that of our trading partners. Data which will be published shortly by the NCC will show that prices in Ireland have moderated in the past year, particularly property and energy prices. In addition, at an economy wide level, Irish labour wage rates – when adjusted for productivity – are becoming more cost competitive.

In parallel to the fundamental steps taken over the past 18 months to stabilise the public finances and restore the banking system, the necessary price adjustment to restore competitiveness is underway. Business costs have fallen: wage bills, asset prices, energy and prices in general have responded to the effects of recession and corrective government action.

Further strengthening Ireland's competitive position will foster economic growth. I am working with my colleagues in Government to further embed the improvements already achieved and to strengthen Ireland's relative international competitiveness position.