Jobs Committee to continue hearings on the impact of the black economy on business

Vice Chairman of the Committee Deputy John Lyons said: “Tomorrow we will continue our hearings on the impact of the black economy on legitimate Irish businesses. We will start with an engagement with representatives from the Construction Industry Federation to consider the effects of the black economy on the construction industry. Following this meeting, representatives from the National Federation of Retail Ireland will discuss proposed solutions to protect small businesses and the jobs they provide, while representatives from Grant Thornton will discuss its report Illicit Trade in Ireland.”

“The impact of the black market on small business is an issue of concern for the Committee and one to which we are devoting a lot of time and attention. To date we have had a series of hearings, as well as a number of regional meetings on the issue.  From this series of meetings, we are aware that the black market destroys sales and makes jobs more vulnerable.  Tomorrow’s meeting is an opportunity to get a detailed assessment on illicit trade and the impact of the black economy on Irish business across a number of sectors.

“It is important that we as a committee with a remit in the area of jobs, enterprise and innovation continue to play our part in contributing to achieving progress on this subject and finding new potential solutions to the problem and to protect small retail businesses.”

This meeting starts in Committee Room 2, Leinster House at 1.30pm on Tuesday 21st May 2013. Before the Committee meets with the Construction Industry Federation, the National Federation of Retail Agents and Grant Thornton, it will carry out scrutiny of the following EU legislative proposals:

Schedule A: COM(2012)730; COM(2013)075;
Schedule B: COM(2012)782; COM(2013)109; COM(2013)110; COM(2013)112; COM(2013)117; COM(2013)178; COM(2013)206; COM(2013)234; COM(2013)235; COM(2013)237; COM(2013)238;

Committee proceedings can be followed live at:

http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

Committee Membership

Deputies: Dara Calleary, Áine Collins, Michael Conaghan, Damien English (Chair), Tom Fleming (Independent), Seán Kyne, Anthony Lawlor, John Lyons (Vice-Chair) and Peadar Tóibín.

Senators: Deirdre Clune, David Cullinane, John Kelly, Michael Mullins, Feargal Quinn and Mary White