NATION AWAITS LENIHAN'S BUDGET - Ahead of today's Budget announcement, two businessmen tell us what they would like to see come out of Mr Lenihan's briefcase in the Dáil later.
John Ryan, who runs a services company called Certification Europe which provides training to help companies react international accreditation standards, says he is sees the Budget as an opportunity to boost confidence in the economy. He said he would like to see more done to help small business. He also advocates waiving employers’ PRSI contributions for new employees for the next 12 months. He would also support the relaxation of the withholding tax businesses have when dealing with Government departments. He also believes that some sort of mortgage relief would help bolster consumer confidence. Mr Ryan also says he has no problem with high earners having to pay more tax as long at those taxpayers get value for money.
John Finn, managing direction of Treasury Solutions Limited in Cork and president of an organisation of the Irish Association of Corporate Treasurers, is hoping to see action taken to free up cash flow. A lifting of the VAT threshold is also on his wish list. He would like to see the Government shift their focus from multinationals in order to offer more help to indigenous companies. Better linkage between business and third level institutions is also a necessity in his eyes.
*** On the currency markets, the euro is worth $1.3574 US cents this morning and 78.28 pence sterling.
