Martin pledges to maintain economic competitiveness

MICHEÁL MARTIN vowed to maintain the country's economic competitiveness and be a consumer champion in his new post as enterprise, trade and employment minister.

The elevation of his constituency colleague, Batt O'Keeffe, was regarded as having widespread consequences for Fianna Fáil strategy in Cork in the next general election.

But the Taoiseach came under fire from Fine Gael for failing to give Cork adequate representation at ministerial level.