Next budget to improve Irish competitiveness, says Cowen
Next month's budget will aim to make the Irish economy more competitive within world markets, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen said today.
Speaking at his Fianna Fáil party's annual Árd Fheis, Mr Cowen also called on possible future successor Pat Rabbitte to reveal his proposed economic policies.
Up to 5,000 delegates are expected to attend today's one-day event which will be addressed by party leader Bertie Ahern tonight.
Referring to the December 6 budget, Mr Cowen said: "The big issue we have to be mindful of all the time is that we are a small economy in a globalised market and we need to be competitive to gain market share, keep jobs and keep investment going.
"We are moving up the value chain in economic terms and we have to insure that we continue to innovate.
"We have to insure we're producing goods and services that world markets want into the future. We need more innovative schemes for Irish industry generally and that will also form part of my considerations."
Mr Cowen also said that the electorate needs to see the proposed economic policies of Labour party leader Mr Rabbitte. He is likely to be Minister for Finance if an alternative government is elected after the next election.
"It is more than likely to be Pat Rabbitte than anybody else and what I'm saying is we need to see some of his policies on tax and other issues so people know what they are voting for," said the deputy Fianna Fáil leader.
