Foreword

Dr Orlaigh Quinn, Secretary General, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Leo Varadkar T.D., Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

This Strategy Statement is the result of extensive consultation and is the programme for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for the period 2021 to 2023.

This Strategy Statement outlines a clear and ambitious path for the Department for the next three years. It sets out our vision, our mission, our values, and six high level goals to deliver the priorities set out for us in the Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, and the new responsibilities assigned to this Department including employment rights and trade promotion. Our goals are ambitious and set in the context of current challenges arising from Brexit, COVID-19 and ongoing global developments.

I have agreed it with the Secretary General and it comes at a significant time taking account of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit. Our focus now must be to build resilience across enterprises to ensure the economy and society fully recovers after the pandemic. At the same time, we will continue to strengthen employment rights and champion the principles of responsible free enterprise and fair competition.

We will achieve our goals with detailed business planning set out by the Department and through its Offices and Agencies in our annual business planning. Progress on delivery will be monitored and reviewed by the Management Board to ensure this strategy is fully implemented.

Future proofing our economy and society for the twin transition to a sustainable low carbon economy and the acceleration of digitalisation is central to our mission. Our relationships internationally are crucial as a small open economy and we will continue to build close and mutually beneficial relationships globally and grow our influence in the European Union.

We are focused on delivering high quality, responsive and relevant services for the benefit of all our stakeholders. As part of our planning for this Strategy, we sought input from a wide variety of stakeholders, and I would like to thank all those who made submissions, which has assisted us greatly.

I have confidence in the calibre and commitment of the Department’s staff that we can meet the challenges in the period ahead. Together with my colleagues; Minister of State Robert Troy, TD and Minister of State Damien English TD, I look forward to working closely with the Secretary General and the staff of the Department, its Offices and Agencies, in implementing this strategy.

We will work collaboratively with colleagues across Government, business, employer and worker representatives, other stakeholders and at EU and international level to achieve these goals. Our team of staff are our key asset and their commitment will ensure the successful delivery of our mission and ambitious goals over the period of the strategy.