Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the recent publication of Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2023 by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council. The Council continues to focus on key competitiveness and productivity issues facing the Irish economy and the report makes recommendations on policy actions required to enhance Ireland’s competitiveness position.

The report acknowledges Ireland’s strong competitiveness position while emphasising that there should be no complacency in taking for granted the underpinnings of our success, and in addressing our weaknesses. As a small, open economy being competitive internationally is critical to the continued success of the Irish economy.

This year’s Competitiveness Challenge report makes 19 policy recommendations to Government centred around the areas of infrastructure delivery, energy generation and consumption, as well as improved performance on research, development, and innovation.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has lead responsibility for four of the Council’s recommendations. The Department of the Taoiseach is currently preparing a formal whole of Government response to the recommendations proposed by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, and it is expected that this will be published in the coming weeks. Plans to address the recommendations will be set out in the Government’s response.