Business minister Leo Varadkar says that our way of life depends on a successful enterprise policy by the state, and he wants the people's views.

The Tánaiste intends to publish a White Paper on his new policy later this year, setting out a new vision for enterprise policy and looking at its strategic direction and the challenges ahead.

Varadkar said: “I think it’s timely to take a look at our enterprise policy and make sure it’s fit for purpose. We want Ireland to continue to be a thriving economy, with a job for anyone that wants one, work that pays and is sustainable in the long term.

“This is what will secure our quality of life and living standards and we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to adapt to what is an increasingly uncertain and competitive global environment. There will be new opportunities too, and we need to make sure Ireland is well placed to take advantage of these.”

The minister is urging members of the public, industry, academia and all interested parties to take part in the consultation, which is open from today.

In Association with

Varadkar added: “Ireland’s enterprise policy for the past few decades has been an unqualified success. There are more people employed in Ireland today than ever before, our GDP and average incomes have never been higher, trade is breaking all records and the public finances are in good order in large part due to better-than-ever tax receipts from corporate profits.

“Last year was the best ever in terms of new jobs created by multinationals and also Irish export firms. And 2022 could be as good again if not better. 

“Our success is based on a formula that includes talent, track record, competitive taxes, a stable pro-business environment, political stability and our position at the heart of the European Union. However, this not a time for self-praise nor to rest on our laurels. The world is changing rapidly and we need to ensure that we benefit from those changes and do not lose ground. 

“We need to work out how to hold on to what we have, where possible, and to gain new investments, new markets and develop new industries where we cannot.

“Our economic strength is particularly impressive given the headwinds we have faced in recent years, with Brexit and the pandemic. These were two seismic events, which will be with us for a long time, if not forever. Climate change, inflation, Putin’s war on Ukraine, the shift in global economic and political power to global south and east, increased global competition and the digital transformation are the next set of formidable challenges that we are now facing.”

Details of the policy and the survey are available here, where some indicative questions are posed to assist those making submissions, which should be no longer than 1,500 words and should be submitted by email to enterprisepolicy@enterprise.gov.ie on or before Friday 29 July.

Photo: Leo Varadkar (right) with DPD chief executive Des Travers and DPD sustainability associate Cynthia Wanjau. (Pic: Maxwells)