The Small Firms’ Association is to lobby Finance Minster Michael Noonan on the introduction of tax relief changes to prompt business owners into making further investments.

Returning from an annual European trade show last month on a flight packed with successful Irish retailers, Ian Martin felt his country’s battered economy might finally be turning around.

The Government has announced a new scheme that will facilitate up to €150m of additional lending per year to small businesses.

The Small Firms Association has today welcomed the Action Plan for Jobs announced today.

Small business owners say they remain confident for the coming year but need government support to succeed.

A COMPREHENSIVE support strategy for enterprise and jobs needs to be developed by Government early in the New Year, if Ireland is to avoid being dragged into a double-dip recession.

THE Government is cracking down on absenteeism which is recognised as a significant problem in both the public and private sectors.

Organisations representing Irish small and medium enterprises have offered a mixed response to the business stimulus measures outlined in Budget 2012.

Some weapons depots in Libya have still not been secured properly, and "much has already gone missing" from unguarded sites, the top UN envoy in Libya said in an interview today.

THE pending temporary credit guarantee scheme for the country’s SME sector — details of which are due to be finalised next month — can only work with substantial financial support of Government, according to the Small Firms Association (SFA).

THE Small Firms Association (SFA) has used its annual conference to attack the Government’s procurement policy — saying it inhibits serious competition from SMEs when it comes to public tenders.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on the Security Council to establish a mission in Libya to deal with the country’s new rulers for an initial period of three months.

Dublin: Ian Martin has been elected to succeed Dr Aidan O’Boyle as the chairman of the Small Firms Association.

Mr Ian Martin has been elected to succeed Dr. Aidan O’Boyle as the Chairman of the Small Firms Association.

Nepal celebrated the end of a bloody 10-year insurgency by declaring a public holiday today, as the international community hailed the deal under which communist rebels will join an interim government.

The maker of Durex condoms and Scholl footwear today said former Railtrack chief executive Gerald Corbett will become its new chairman.

Footcare products and condom maker SSL posted lower-than-expected annual profits today despite higher demand for some of its key brands.

Durex-to-Scholl firm SSL International today pledged to sell its medical division and use the proceeds to reduce debt and boost the consumer arm.