Live Register figures 'a major concern'

Chambers Ireland have said that this morning’s Live Register figures are "a major concern to business".

Seán Murphy, Chambers Ireland Deputy Chief Executive said: "These numbers are a sobering reminder of the real pain that is being felt in the wider economy. Businesses have been cutting costs and employee numbers at a significant rate over the past two years.

"However the state-controlled sector needs to reciprocate with cuts in taxes and other charges levied on businesses to help restore competitiveness.

"At a minimum we need the recommendations of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group to be implemented in full and the €500m plus in costs savings identified to be passed back to the business sector by way of rate reductions," he concluded.