I want to express a warm welcome for the unfolding events on this historic day for the people of Northern Ireland. I am sure everyone in the House will join me in expressing the hope that we have finally reached a point where the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement will take place. I repeat again my support, on behalf of the Fine Gael Party, for the efforts of the Government in attempting to see this achieved. I commend the Taoiseach and his colleagues for their continuous efforts in bringing about the unfolding events of today. I hope they will be real and fruitful.

The House will also be aware that Ireland's EU Presidency term begins in ten weeks. Deputies have expressed serious concern over the continuing deterioration in Ireland's competitiveness. A recent report on the world economy placed us 24th in the competitive category, falling from the 11th place we held last year. On the four major areas examined by the report – Government efficiency, economic performance, business efficiency and infrastructure – we fared poorly. For infrastructure, we were placed last. For inflation figures we were placed 25th out of 29.

On 22 September, the EU Competitiveness Council met in Brussels, dealing with the internal EU market, industry and research. Looking at the attendance list, every EU state except Ireland was represented by a senior Minister. Ireland was represented by a deputy permanent representative. This is on the watch of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney. Her Department has two Ministers of State, Deputies Fahey and Michael Ahern. From examining the list of public engagements on 22 September, there were none that were more important than this Council meeting. With the EU Presidency term beginning in ten week's time and with an issue central to our economic development in competitiveness, why were the Government and the Tánaiste's Department not represented at this important EU meeting?

I wish to express my appreciation of the comments Deputy Kenny made on the unfolding events in Northern Ireland. Like him, I hope this sets the scene for the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and for only normal electoral politics to operate on the island of Ireland. The events of today are a staging post along this route. Subject to the agreement of the Whips, it is the intention of the Government to have a debate on the unfolding events, perhaps tomorrow.

I was absent from the meeting of the Competitiveness Council because of a private family event, which had been in my diary for some time and I am sure everybody can understand that. I attend any meetings where decisions are made. While I have not been great at attending the informal councils over the years, I have attended them more recently because of our upcoming Presidency. Ireland was one of the drivers in seeking the creation of the Competitiveness Council to bring together the internal market, industry and research. Ireland has taken the lead in proposing suggestions to a high level group to make the council work more effectively so that the cross-cutting issues can be addressed and the council does not operate as three separate entities in one.

In recent months I have engaged with my colleagues in the applicant countries and from existing member states to determine how we can move the agenda forward during our Presidency. As the Deputy may be aware, while the Council has an important role to play, the decisions we make at home have an equally important part to play. Although we have slipped in some of the competitiveness measurements, the country still does remarkably well. For example, our foreign direct investment in 2002 was 19% higher than the previous year. Unemployment is still low at 4.4% and inflation is now down to 2.9%. As the general election stated "A lot done, more to do."