Irish cost of living and competitiveness
O’Kennedy asked how the Government would address Ireland’s higher cost of living to improve competitiveness. Dukes cited the Programme for Government’s competitiveness policies, saying they would bring living costs closer to those in low-inflation countries.
asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of recent findings on the higher cost of living in Ireland than that in the United States of America or the United Kingdom, he has any proposals to bring it into line in the interests of our international competitiveness.
Comment on this
: I would refer the Deputy to the Programme for Government which clearly recognises the importance of competitiveness in the solution to our economic problems.
This Government are committed to pursuing policies which will enhance the competitiveness of the goods and services we produce. As this objective is realised, living costs will be brought more into line with those in low-inflation countries such as the United States.