THE TAOISEACH has issued an “open invitation” to business leaders to call him directly with proposals on how the enterprise landscape can be improved.
At a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) business leaders’ dinner last night, Enda Kenny asked the senior executives in attendance to engage with Government and assist it in its bid to make Ireland the best small country in which to do business by 2016. “Call me directly. Tell me where the blockages are in the system.”
He also called on them to act as “economic ambassadors” for the country when they travel abroad.
Ronan Murphy, senior partner at PwC, said the Government had approached its task with a “high level of enthusiasm and commitment” during its first 100 days in office. He also praised Mr Kenny’s willingness to reach out to the business community, particularly the foreign direct investment sector.
“You’ve represented us well at home and abroad. You have our support. We wish you well as you lead us from economic difficulties. . . and you restore our national pride.”
On the issue of reform, Mr Kenny said the public sector was now willing to understand that it had to deliver services more efficiently and also to change its culture which had been “locked in a tunnel for too long”.
During his speech he said he had received 3,500 texts and messages from well-wishers around the world after the visits from Queen Elizabeth and US president Barack Obama.
He also joked he was considering emulating former UK prime minister Tony Blair in making his ministers remain standing during cabinet meetings in order to elicit sharper responses.
