30/10/2009 - OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría was in Ireland on 4 November to participate in the press launch of the Economic Survey of Ireland with Mr Brian Lenihan, Minister for Finance (read Gurría's speech).

He also attended the press event organised for the release of the conclusions and recommendations of the Environmental Performance review of Ireland (full study to be published early next year) with Mr. John Gormley, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (read Gurría's presentation).

Finally, he gave a speech at the Institute of International and European Affairs on "The OECD and the G20 – An Evolving Relationship" and discussed key policy issues with:

• Mr. Brian Cowen, Taoiseach (Prime Minister)
• Ms. Mary Coughlan, Tánaiste (Vice Prime-Minister)
• Mr. Micheál Martin, Minister for Foreign Affairs 
• Mr. Peter Power, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs

Further information:

The OECD’s latest economic survey of Ireland looks at the impact of the global economic crisis on Ireland and offers policy recommendations for reform such as raising competitiveness, restoring the financial system to health, fiscal consolidation and avoiding high long-term unemployment.

The conclusions and recommendations of the Environmental Performance Reviews of Ireland present 38 policy recommendations to "take advantage" of the current economic crisis and make Ireland’s growth model stronger, cleaner and fairer. Recommendations include:

- Strengthening efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions

- Charging households for consumption of water

- Ratifying the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.