Business, Enterprise & Innovation Committee to begin hearings on the cost of doing business

The Committee will commence a series of hearings on the cost of doing business. Tomorrow, representatives from IBEC; the Small Firms Association; Food and Drink Ireland; Retail Ireland and the Irish Hotels Federation will appear before the Committee.

Committee Chair, Mary Butler TD, said, “Increases in the cost of doing business in Ireland will weaken and damage competitiveness in the production of goods and services. The Committee is now beginning a series of meetings on the issue and we will produce a report based on our findings. The rise in commercial property costs is an issue of great concern to businesses around the country, as are rising rents. Other likely topics we will focus on include, labour, water, waste, inflation and the overall export environment. Brexit means that Irish businesses must strive to remain competitive in an evolving market landscape; the ongoing negotiations and the likely impact for Irish business will form part of our discussions over the coming weeks.”

Committee proceedings can be followed live here: http://bit.ly/2pj804N

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

ENDS/

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Joint Committee Membership:

Chairperson: Mary Butler (Fianna Fáil)

Deputies:

Niall Collins (FF)

Stephen Donnelly (FF)

Tom Neville (FG)

Maurice Quinlivan (SF)

Noel Rock (FG)

Bríd Smith (Solidarity-PBP)

Senators:  

Aidan Davitt (FF)

Paul Gavan (SF)

Ged Nash (LAB)

James Reilly (FG)