The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association has called on the incoming government to introduce a new minister for small businesses. ISME says this would ensure that the massive potential and contribution of the sector is harnessed and co-ordinated.
The small and medium businesses sector contributes over €10 billion to the Exchequer every year and is the biggest employer in the country, ISME says. Almost 900,000 people work in small businesses nationwide.
ISME's chief executive Mark Fielding said that ministers for small businesses have been appointed in many other countries, including the UK, Australia and France.
'The next number of months is going to decide whether many small companies remain in businesses or not. It is vital, in that context, that our public representatives take cognisance of the issues of concern to the SME community,' he added.
Restaurants body's five-point plan
The Restaurants Association of Ireland has launched an election manifesto which calls for urgent measures from a new Government about tackling difficulties in their business.
The association has demanded action in five areas: a restoration of competitiveness, more promotion of tourism especially food tourism, more credit availability for restaurants, job creation, and reform of local authority rates.
