Ministers to brief businessmen on Nice Treaty

Government ministers have agreed to attend briefing sessions countrywide to explain the Nice Treaty to Irish businessmen.

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises group has welcomed the decision to attend the 14 meetings, particularly after a recent survey which showed that 90% of Irish businesses are dissatisfied with the level of Government information on the treaty.

ISME chief executive Mark Fielding said he is unsure if businessmen will support the Nice Treaty because many are worried about possible EU-wide tax harmonisation.

Irish businesses benefit from some of the lowest corporate taxes in the EU and fear tax harmonisation would affect their profits.