1. The Challenge Facing Employers in Dublin Brendan Butler Director of Enterprise IBEC

2. Strengths Education Tax Regime Pro Business Government Large FDI Inflows EU Membership Social Partnership

3. Performance Full Employment High G.D.P / Living Standards Migration Flows Opportunities

4. Challenges Small Open Economy Export 90% + of everything we produce Large non-EU Trade Partners Enlargement Barriers to Free Trade

5. Weaknesses Cost Base Infrastructure Productivity Performance Weak R & D Performance Labour Force

6. Addressing our Weaknesses A. Cost Base Table 1: % Increases in Non-pay costs-Dublin 2002-2004 Cumulative Increase 2002-2004 Cumulative Average Inflation (CPI): 2002-2004 % Energy 17 5.9 Financial services 13.4 5.9 Insurance 22.2 5.9 Local authority rates 14.7 5.9 Professional services 18.2 5.9 Rents 24.5 5.9 Telecommunications 9.4 5.9 Transportation & Warehousing 5.6 5.9 Waste Collection/Treatment 18 5.9 Postal Communications 11.7 5.9 Water Charges 14 5.9 Total non-pay costs 18.5 5.9

7. Cost Base Measures Needed Competition Value for Money in Public Sector Regulation Creep

8. Addressing our Weaknesses B. Infrastructure Deficit Some Facts: Population Growth E.U. Funding Stock Declining Government Spend Declining

9. Infrastructure Deficit Measures Needed: Provide Waste Infrastructure Energy Capacity increased Transport Infrastructure Improved Project Selection Management Funding Options Planning Provisions

10. Addressing our Weaknesses C. Productivity and Pay Average Figures disguise real picture

11. Annual Competitiveness Report 2004

13. Addressing our Weaknesses C. Productivity and Pay 5 years ‘98-’03 – Pay per Employee grew by 37 % Ireland 9 % Germany After Inflation 12% in Ireland 4 % in Eurozone Compensation per Employee 2004 Ireland € 38,140 UK€ 35,750 EU Average€ 34,630

14. Addressing our Weaknesses D. R & D Performance 1.5 % of GNP spent on R & D Link between Industry and 3 rd Level Colleges Difficult to access EU supports Education trends worrying

15. R & D Performance Measures Needed Focus on “Applied” along with “Basic” Research Resolve the “Commercialisation” debate Links between Indigenous and Foreign owned MNCs

16. Addressing our Weaknesses  Labour Market Issues Incentive to work Refusal to do certain jobs Lack of clear Immigration Policy Work Life Balance Issues

17. Labour Market Issues Measures Needed Review CE Schemes Address Childcare / Eldercare Issue Skilled Immigration Policy

18. Summary 1. Restrain cost increases to business 2. Fast Track Infrastructure 3. Add greater value to the work we do 4. Encourage Innovation and Skills Development 5. Encourage increased Labour Force participation

19. Conclusion Ireland has become a success story Dublin has led this success Policy choices correct in the past Some clear “Warning” Signals Future is in our own hands