MR Brian Patterson, chief executive officer of the Wedgwood Group, is to chair the new National Competitiveness Council, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, has announced. The council will be charged with reporting to the Taoiseach on policies to improve competitiveness on an ongoing basis and preparing reports on key issues.

The other members of the committee are: Mr Eddie Browne, vice president of the ICTU; Ms Patricia O'Donovan, assistant general secretary, ICTU; Mr Donal Byrne, managing directors of Cadburys Ireland; Mr Martin Swarbrick, country manager, Motorola; Mr Alan Gray, managing director of Indecon Consultants; Ms Martha O'Byrne, managing director of Blooming Clothing; Mr Kevin Bonner, the outgoing Secretary of the Department of Enterprise and Employment, and Mr John Travers, chief executive of Forfas.