Ireland to ‘accelerate’ Kelly report implementation

The government this week published its new action plan on competitiveness and productivity, which was promised in the programme for government but expedited in light of the geopolitical situation.

The action plan contains 85 actions for enhancing the Irish economy’s competitiveness and productivity performance, with 26 of these identified as priority actions.

Actions are set out across six themes: embracing research, innovation and skills; boosting FDI and exports and influencing at EU level; creating and scaling more SMEs; regulating for growth and controlling costs; increasing the state’s capacity to deliver infrastructure; and growing sustainable Irish businesses and boosting regional development.

The document deals in part with regulatory and legal systems, which it says have “a greater focus for countries seeking to further enhance their competitiveness”.

“While our ‘common law’ system is highly regarded for its fairness and impartiality, Ireland has been criticised over the years for being a high-cost jurisdiction in which to conduct litigation,” it notes.

“Ireland can also be slow in delivering judgments and resolving disputes compared to other similar jurisdictions internationally.

“While other legal systems internationally have modernised their procedures many years ago, some processes and procedures in the Irish courts system have remained largely unchanged since independence more than a century ago.”

It goes on to highlight the review of the administration of civil justice completed by former High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly in 2020.

“Although implementation is underway, the pace needs to be accelerated,” it says.