Business group calls for reforms to secure jobs
Cork Chamber’s pre-election manifesto was unveiled at a meet the candidates forum in the city centre yesterday.
It focuses on competitiveness, employment, reform and infrastructure.
Among the proposals are calls for the setting up of an expert group of 10 of the country’s leading business figures to advise the government. The chamber wants an audit of all regulations that affect commercial activity, with a view to abolishing those that hamper business.
It called for a two-year extension to the employment subsidy scheme for companies who demonstrate a realistic possibility for survival and said it is essential to maintain the country’s 12.5% corporation tax rate.
And it said it cannot support the introduction of tolls on the Jack Lynch Tunnel or the South Ring Road.
“The next Government can take action to secure the Cork region’s hard won gains and maintain its position as an engine of national growth and an internationally competitive business location,” Chamber president Ger O’Mahoney said.
“Our recommendations include steps to make it easier for all sectors to do business along with targeted reforms to make our public policy and decision making more efficient.
“All our proposals have long-term job creation and economic growth at their core.”
The chamber’s manifesto urges the new government to:
* Conduct a full audit of all regulations and scrap those that make it difficult to do business.
* Make An Bord Pleanála more responsive to regional issues.
* Introduce a fair fuel stabiliser, which would see the rate of fuel duty fall if fuel costs increase.
* Enhance national and international broadband connectivity.
* Overhaul outdated bankruptcy laws and reduce the discharge period from 12 years to three to encourage entrepreneurship.
The chamber said the Croke Park deal “needs teeth” and savings targets must be set out.
“If these are not achieved, the shortfall should be met by a corresponding reduction in public sector employment costs,” Mr O’Mahoney said.
And local government reform must include broad-based revenue streams for councils.
The chamber said a number of strategic projects with “far reaching potential” for the greater Cork region must be advanced.
It cited flood mitigation measures, investing in infrastructure to facilitate the Cork docklands regeneration, and key road projects like the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road to facilitate the pharmachem industry.
And it said it is crucial that the next Government finally deals with the uncertainty surrounding Cork Airport’s future governance.
* www.corkchamber.ie.
THE Cork Business Association (CBA) has called for the introduction of a waiver system for rates, service charges and rents to help businesses survive the recession.
CBA chief executive Donal Healy said businesses could be offered a percentage rebate on production of audited accounts and tax compliance certificates.
“It is vital that jobs and businesses are supported through this recession,” Mr Healy said.
He also called for the scrapping of “upwards only” rent reviews for commercial property.
They are among several proposals CBA members say must be included in any Programme for Government which is hammered out after next week’s general election.
Mr Healy said the incoming government must ensure that credit can flow to under-pressure businesses.
“Finance must be made available at competitive rates. What used to be an overdraft is now a term loan,” he said.
“And we must lower the cost of doing business across all sectors. Layers of bureaucracy are stifling local enterprise.”
He specifically urged Cork’s public representatives who may be involved in forming the next government to fight for funding to complete the flyovers at the Sarsfield Road and Bandon Road roundabouts, and for funding to build the Eastern Gateway Bridge which is vital to open up the city’s sprawling docklands area for regeneration.
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