John Whelan: Restrictions on business visas are harming Irish firms

Obstacles to global services trade, such as the delays in issuing visas to enable a foreign business traveller to get to Ireland to close a deal, or for foreign technicians to repair a piece of high-tech equipment, have long been ignored, Irish industry sources tell me. 

Ireland lost competitiveness in terms of supporting Irish businesses last year, the OECD has said in a report that targets much criticism at the Government's regulations over granting work visas. 

The report, the Services Trade Restrictiveness Index, from the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, points to increased restrictions in a number of areas, but in the issuing of business visas in particular.