Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 1683: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his plans to improve the competitiveness of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31760/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Annual Competitiveness Report 2010, published by the National Competitiveness Council in July this year, acknowledged that since January 2008, Ireland has regained some of the competitiveness it had lost at the start of the global economic downturn. The improvement in competitiveness is closely linked to the policies the Government has pursued to restore stability to the economy.

Some of the indicators of improved competitiveness can be seen in the fact that inflation remains below that of our main trading partners. We are seeing lower costs for business, particularly in areas such as energy and rental of prime industrial space and office space. Many local authorities have either frozen their commercial rates at 2009 prices or reduced them for 2010. Wage costs have also reduced across the economy. Exports of goods and services for the first two quarters of 2010 were up by 3% and 8% respectively, compared with the same periods in 2009.

Along with my Government colleagues, I will continue to drive the competitiveness agenda across the economy to promote a business environment that is conducive to creating jobs. In this context, the Forfás report "Making it Happen — Growing Enterprise for Ireland" which was launched on 24 September, presents a series of recommendations which are already aligned with Government priorities and which will help to improve the competitiveness of the economy and facilitate growth and job creation.

Implementing the recommendations will require input across a range of Government Departments and agencies. My officials will be working with the relevant Departments and agencies with a view to progressing those recommendations.