Four months on, Isme — the association representing small- and medium-size companies — is the latest trade body to wonder if the ministry’s understanding of the word “progress” is different to that which exists beyond its walls.

FBD Insurance has accused the legal profession of being solely responsible for exorbitant premiums for businesses as it defended its 41% rise in profits last year.

The Irish SME Association (ISME) is calling on the next EU Competition Commissioner to take on powerful vested interests among the big US tech companies.

People are being asked to shop local on what is one of the busiest weekends of the year for retailers.

One-third of businesses have been the victim of crime in the last twelve months, a survey has found.

The chief executive of business group Isme said Central Bank figures showing a fall in new business lending is more evidence that businesses are finding it more difficult to access loans.

Business groups have largely welcomed the Government’s €300m Brexit loan fund but have cautioned the available funds may dry up quickly.

Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (Isme) has today warned Irish companies to implement the changes to comply with a new data regulations.

There has been a big increase in loan refusals from banks to SMEs, the body representing the sector claims.

One fifth of businesses do not change their online passwords regularly despite the fact that more than four out of five have been the targets of online crime.

Business group Isme has upped the heat in the row over a raise in the minimum wage, saying it wants three employer representatives on the Low Pay Commission to step down as their membership was “now futile”.

Small business lobby group Isme has slammed the level of bank lending to SMEs as “concerning” and “disappointing” after revealing the loan refusal rate has jumped from 23% to 28% of applications during the second quarter of the year.

There has been a slight improvement in payment periods to small and medium-sized enterprises in this country.

The booming black market in Ireland is putting pressure on profit margins for retailers.

Business lobby group Isme has called on the new Government to reappoint a minister with direct responsibility for small business.

The country’s next government needs to prioritise the small and medium-sized business needs and create a “truly entrepreneurial culture” to bolster the economic recovery, according to a business group.

Two major business groups representing small business owners say it is time to set up an “IDA-style” government agency to look after the interests of Irish SMEs.

With the next General Election a matter of weeks away, political parties are being urged to avoid promises that will increase the cost of doing business.

Small business group Isme has welcomed Central Bank plans to give small business owners more power in their dealings with their lenders.

Employers groups have described recommendations from a report on "zero hour contracts" as "unworkable".

Almost half of loan applications from small and medium-sized business were rejected in the past three months, according to new figures.

The number of people signing on the Live Register climbed for the first time in more than two years last month, pointing towards slowing job creation.

Economic growth is being sacrificed by re-election politics, according to the association for small and medium enterprises.

The Government is being called on to introduce tougher legislation on late payments to businesses.

Business and consumer groups have called on the Government to launch a probe into the grip that Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland have over Irish banking and to consider the possibility of breaking up AIB to boost competition.

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (ISME) has said there are outstanding issues relating to the high levels of tax paid by small business owners here.

Consumer prices fell by 0.6% in the year to the end of month, according to new data from the CSO.