EU 'must open up services market': SFA

The EU must urgently open up the services market to member states or risk even higher levels of unemployment and less investment across the region, chairperson of the Small Firms Association Angela Kennedy said today.

Addressing more than 1,100 guests at the SFA Annual Lunch at which EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy was guest of honour, she said Ireland’s amazing economic success is not only the result of pursuing the right economic policies, but is also due to Ireland's successful exploitation of international markets.

Kennedy said: "Irish services companies need action to improve the functioning of the internal market and ensure the free circulation of goods, capital, people and in particular, services."

"There can no longer be any doubt that open markets spur competition and innovation. These are exactly what we need to foster growth and jobs. Ireland is not afraid of competition and neither should Europe be."