Ireland needs to improve its execution of infrastructural projects the Taoiseach has told a gathering of business leaders.
Leo Varadkar also said that while there are some extraordinary Irish companies which are the best at what they do globally there needs to be more.
Addressing the Dublin Chamber's AGM dinner tonight, Mr Varadkar said Ireland is a very open economy, with huge exports relative to its size.
But he added that it has relatively few indigenous exporters compared to some of its peers.
The Taoiseach told the gathering that as a Dubliner, he believes we should aim to make the capital the best city in the world to invest, start and grow a business.
However, he also said it needs to be a city that is liveable, people and family friendly, culturally curious and a lot easier to get around.
He said that in order to make Dublin and Ireland as a whole one of the best places in the world to live, better infrastructure, housing, healthcare, early learning and childcare are needed, all underpinned by coordinated planning.
The Taoiseach acknowledged that these are not areas that the country has excelled in, but it does have the capability to change that.
Heavy investment in physical infrastructure is needed to raise competitiveness and Dublin’s attractiveness as a place to live and work, he also admitted.
But he also pledged that the Government will not pull back on vital capital investment and instead will continue to invest more, not only in public transport and housing, but also energy, water and other basic infrastructure.
The Taoiseach also told attendees that there needs to be improvements in living standards, through better pay via the introduction of a national living wage.
He added that efforts need to be redoubled to encourage more parents to take up employment and educational opportunities.
He also claimed that a focus on better pension provision and achieving reductions in children experiencing consistent poverty are needed.
Also addressing the dinner, the Dublin Chamber's incoming President said Irish workers continue to be negatively impacted by issues around housing.
Stephen O’Leary said the business sector cannot grow or retain talented people if there is nowhere in Dublin for people to live.
He said the Government’s Housing for All strategy is a step towards a more sustainable housing market but questioned if the target is sufficient given the demand.
"We need a more ambitious target for Dublin if Government is to address the deficiencies in the housing market," he stated.
Mr O’Leary added that the new Planning and Development Bill will help to reduce barriers to investment in housing and infrastructure but needs to be accelerated to improve delivery of targets.
He also said that to be credible, transport projects such as Metrolink, Luas and DART extensions need to be delivered on time and within budget to serve the city more efficiently.
The new President also urged the Government to ensure there is sufficient flexibility in how it regulates for the new world of work to ensure collaboration, innovation and a collegial office culture are not lost.
While on entrepreneurship he said the Government must continue to focus on developing entrepreneurs and rewarding those who take the risks to build the indigenous businesses of the future, including through a reduction in the rate of capital gains tax to 20%.
