Minister Kelleher seeks ways to make it easier to run businesses in Ireland

Minister for Trade and Commerce Billy Kelleher today (Tuesday) launched a series of workshops that aim to simplify life for Irish business.

The Minister, together with officials from his Department, met with representatives from business, the professions and local enterprise boards to work out concrete plans to reduce red tape by simplifying some of the core administrative burdens currently placed on business.

Three workshops take place during the next five weeks to look at simplifying the burden on business in three key areas: Company, Employment and Health and Safety Law.

Topics such as keeping of accounts and the making of returns to the Companies Registration Office are being scrutinised during the first workshop, with participants discussing ideas on how these processes can be simplified for business.

Launching the workshop, Minister Kelleher said: “The Government is committed to doing everything in its power to help Irish business regain its edge, both at home and abroad and that a key part of this is reducing costs.

“We need you to tell us how regulation impacts on you, and where the impact feels most unnecessary, most irritating or out of date, and is most in need of reform.

“This is what we are here for today: to get your ideas; to listen to your suggestions; to understand how we can simplify your lives and make it easier to run businesses in Ireland.”

This work progresses the implementation of the Government’s Target to reduce the burden of red tape on business by 25% by 2012. A programme measuring the existing impact on business of the most significant administrative burdens in these areas has already been completed.

The next workshop takes place in Dublin on 1^st June and will focus on Employment Law. The series concludes with the spotlight on Health and Safety Law on 15^th June.

Thereafter, business interests, such as IBEC, ISME, Chambers Ireland and SFA and workshop participants will be invited by the Minister to input to him on his Department’s simplification plans.

ENDS/TC434