Ibec urges €6bn budget to fight Covid-19 fallout

Further spending needed if EU and UK don't agree trade deal

Fergal O'Brien, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Ibec, said there were strong hopes the economic rebound will get underway but that supports worth €6bn will be needed nonetheless in October’s budget. Picture: Nick Bradshaw

Budget measures costing €6bn is needed far into next year to help the economy ravaged by the Covid-19 crisis, and further spending will be required should Britain crash out of the EU with no trade deal in December, Ibec has warned.

In its budget submission, Ireland’s main business group said it still has hopes for a strong economic rebound but that unemployment will be a significant problem for some time to come as the health restrictions hit Irish business hard.