Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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740. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the timeline for the publication of the new Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity; if stakeholder engagement has commenced; and the main sectors being prioritised for reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47530/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In response to international economic developments – and in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government – the Government is finalising an Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, which will be published in September. Reflecting a whole-of-Government approach, the Action Plan focuses on domestic drivers of competitiveness, targeting areas firmly within our national control. Its development has been informed by extensive consultation across Government Departments and with external stakeholders.

My Department has held a series of bilateral engagements with key Government partners, covering areas such as infrastructure, housing, research, regulatory reform, and innovation (including digitalisation and the adoption of advanced technologies). Broader stakeholder engagement has also taken place, with the views of SMEs, business representative organisations, and enterprise agencies actively sought throughout the process. Furthermore, my Department also ran a public consultation process which received a very high volume of responses.

The development of the Action Plan was also informed by the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council’s Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2025 report, published in July. This evidence-based input has been crucial in ensuring that our policy responses are targeted, proportionate, and future-focused.

The Action Plan concentrates on domestic policy measures aimed at enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness and resilience to economic shocks. It will address broad themes including industrial policy, reducing the cost and regulatory burden on business, investing in infrastructure, digital regulation and reform, energy reform, international trade, research and development, and innovation.

The Action Plan will focus on short- to medium-term actions, striking a balance between addressing immediate priorities and maintaining a strategic outlook. These actions will be supported by clearly defined timelines and Departmental ownership to ensure effective implementation.