Small Business Annual Report Published

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment today (Tuesday, 8th February 2000) published the Annual Report on Small Business in Ireland by the Small Business and Services Forum.

The Tánaiste commended the sterling work undertaken by the Forum and thanked them for the time and energy given so selflessly to this worthwhile task. The Report, the third in the series, covers the period January 1998 to September 1999. It contains a review of the environment for small business in Ireland and charts the developments that occurred and initiatives pursued during the period to support this vibrant and significant sector of the Irish economy.

The initiatives include the establishment of Enterprise Ireland, the removal of the statutory audit requirement for certain small companies and the initiation of a major programme of regulatory reform and administrative simplification which will be of considerable benefit particularly to small business.

Commenting on the programme of regulatory reform, the Tánaiste said "Government red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy have no place in a dynamic and advanced economy. This programme will alleviate the significant burden of administrative requirements on small business and will include consultation by Government Offices and Departments with their customers on the priorities for regulatory reform".

Copies of the Annual Report may be purchased from the Government Publications Office, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (Price £3.00) or can be downloaded without charge from www.djei.ie/ecd/sbf1999.htm