Since the 2013 announcement that negotiations were to begin between the EU and the US to agree a trade agreement, Chambers Ireland has been leading the way in calling for a trade deal that specifically works in the interests of SMEs. Ireland has a lot to gain from strengthened transatlantic economic relations. However, we have
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Since the launch of our campaign on February 1st 2016, the Irish Chamber Network has been strongly pushing the issues and messages from our manifesto, A Vision for 2021. Long term strategic planning, investing in infrastructure, maintaining a broad tax base, investing in childcare and housing and better support for Irish SMEs were all key demands from
According to the World Bank, in international terms Ireland remains an expensive location in which to enforce a business contract, and is the 8th most expensive in the OECD32. The World Bank also highlights that it takes a significant length of time (650 days) to enforce a contract in Ireland, compared with an OECD average of
Ireland needs an institutionalised commitment to long-term strategic infrastructure policy making. Recently, Engineers Ireland called for the establishment of a super junior ministry to oversee the State’s infrastructural needs. While some of the measures called for by the group, such as an increase in infrastructure expenditure, would be an improvement on the current situation, it would
Guest blog written by Emma Kerins, International Affairs Executive, Chambers Ireland Trade and investment has never been more important for the Irish and European economy. Throughout the recession, it helped stabilise the economy when domestic demand remained weak. Ensuring that Irish companies can continue to benefit from increased access to new markets around the world
The Ifo Institute today released the results of its World Economic Survey (WES) for the 1st quarter 2016 (available here). The Ifo Index for the world economy dropped from 89.6 points to 87.8 points, signifying a further drift from its long-term average (96.1 points). According to the report, the sharp decline in oil prices seems to be
Last night RTE’s Prime Time debated whether there is a urban/rural divide in Ireland and how the various election candidates and prospective government parties propose to address such a divide. Our Vision for 2021 manifesto strongly supports investment in broadband roll out to reduce the digital divide that currently exists between urban and rural areas.
Education and Skills are key issues in General Election 2016 for various reasons. From our perspective the concern is predominantly with the economic challenges Ireland faces due to the emergence of significant skills gaps and skills shortages. There are widespread reports from employers, especially in the IT industry, that Ireland does not have the numbers
The issues determining the ability of Irish business to remain competitive are often out of the hands of business owners and managers. It is the responsibility of Government, its policies and actions to ensure that a competitive environment exists for business to flourish. That is why our Chamber Network Manifesto, A Vision for 2021, calls
This is a guest blog post written by Mark O’Mahoney, Director of Policy and Communications, Chambers Ireland. This morning I was part of the discussion panel at the launch of the Start Strong Early Years General Election campaign. Start Strong are a coalition of organisations and individuals seeking to advance children’s early care and education
This morning Chambers Ireland attended the European Movement Ireland briefing on the Netherlands Presidency of the Council of the EU. The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every 6 months. During this 6-month period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU’s work