Competitiveness and BreastCheck
Deputy Calleary raised Ireland’s fall in the IMD competitiveness rankings and asked for the Government’s response; the Tánaiste blamed wider international factors and rejected any complacency. Deputy Doherty then raised fears that litigation costs could threaten BreastCheck, and the Tánaiste assured the House the lifesaving screening programme would not be wound down.
The IMD world competitiveness rankings published this morning have confirmed that Ireland has dropped six places by that measurement in the past 12 months. It is the biggest drop by an existing country in the measure. I am sure the Tánaiste will agree the rankings drop is a serious concern, particularly to prospective inward investment as well as to all companies operating here. Has the Tánaiste seen the report? What will the Government's response be? Is he concerned that complacency is setting in over competitiveness in our economy?
Comment on this
I assure the Deputy that there is no complacency on competitiveness within the Government. We will not repeat the mistakes made in the past. In 2011, Ireland was ranked 24th in world competitiveness. The Deputy may have been a Minister of State in the relevant Department in the build up to that period and trying to improve our competitiveness. This is obviously disappointing and we need to take note of it. The reasons for Ireland's moving from sixth to 12th include Brexit; changes to international trading; exchange rate volatility; monetary tightening by the European Central Bank; and infrastructure development. The one over which we have control and to which we are responding is infrastructure. We have a €116 billion infrastructure plan for the next ten years to respond to that. We note this, but I assure the Deputy there is no complacency.
Comment on this
People will be rightly concerned about the reports this morning in regard to the doubt that has been raised about the future of the BreastCheck programme. It goes without saying, but let us say it again, that BreastCheck is a vital cancer screening programme and has undoubtedly saved many, many lives. However, we heard that Professor Ann O'Doherty told the Oireachtas health committee that her great concern is that litigation is going to cost so much that politicians will say "stop screening". Is it not the reality that compensation for women who have genuine legal cases and screening programmes can coexist? Will the Tánaiste assure people at home watching or following this that the Government will not be winding down the BreastCheck programme that has been invaluable to so many women and their families?