Chambers launches Election Manifesto for Growth
Chambers Ireland has today launched its election manifesto “A Manifesto for Business – A Manifesto for Growth” examining the six core themes that the Irish Chamber network believes are necessary requirements for future growth. In addition to calls for the timely delivery of a first rate infrastructure, retaining our low tax environment and unleashing more competition in the energy and public transport sectors, the document makes recommendations to assure Ireland’s continued progress.
Speaking at the launch, Chambers Ireland President David Pierce said “while Ireland has experienced an outstanding period of economic progress, the policies which have facilitated our growth, will not necessarily be the ones to maintain it in the future. Accordingly, we must build on those policies that have delivered so much in recent times, while also preparing for the inevitable adjustments that must come.”
In the context of ensuring a competitive business environment, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive John Dunne said, “the World Bank ranks Ireland 80th in terms of favourable employment regulations, this is bad for business. We call on the next government to commit to only update regulations on two set days per year. In addition, all Health & Safety and Employment legislation should be consolidated into a single act to simplify the administrative burden for companies,” he added.
In reviewing future cost commitments, Dunne stated, “the next Government should commit to publishing a statement of national liabilities—such as pensions—in the National Accounts thereby providing greater clarity on our future responsibilities.” He also called on the government to provide a redundancy option for public servants.
Regarding the ongoing debate over income taxes Dunne said “almost 40pc of the workforce does not pay any income tax at all. We believe that this number is too high and does not ensure that enough taxpayers are sensitised to Government spending. Accordingly, Chambers Ireland believes that the incoming government should ensure that 1/3 of taxpayers pay no income tax, 1/3 pay the standard rate and 1/3 pay the top rate, whatever that rate may be” he added.
Turning to the delivery of an educated flexible workforce, Dunne said “with the expansion of the school curriculum, particularly at primary level, employers are concerned that not enough time is being allocated to the basic requirements of reading, writing and arithmetic. Accordingly, we call on the next Government to lengthen the school day by one hour. This will assist in maintaining standards of education while also covering the expanded ICT and science curriculums,” he noted.
“We must also provide additional tax credits for citizens returning to education while ensuring that our third level system is incentivised to properly support part time learning via provision of the same level of capitation grant for night as for day students,” he concluded.
Showing posts with label Economics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Economics. Show all posts
Tuesday 6 March 2007
Thursday 1 March 2007
Interest May Rise and Support May Fall
The prospect as indicated in this mornings Irish Independent of a further five rises in interest rates this year may become a feature in the coming election. With a rise due next week, it is highly likely that there will be a further rise pre - election. By May, mortgage holders will be facing further strain in paying the bills.
The reports that Irish financial institutions have begun repossessing houses will have sent a chill up the spine of anyone who remembers Thatcher's UK in the 80s. The Labour posters posing the question 'But Are You Happy?' may well find a few more negative answers. This kind of doom and gloom can spread easily in the pubs and at the watercoolers.
The reports that Irish financial institutions have begun repossessing houses will have sent a chill up the spine of anyone who remembers Thatcher's UK in the 80s. The Labour posters posing the question 'But Are You Happy?' may well find a few more negative answers. This kind of doom and gloom can spread easily in the pubs and at the watercoolers.
Wednesday 28 February 2007
Net Outflow of 35bn - We're Either Minted or The Rats Are Jumpin Ship
The latest round of EU wide statistics have been completed - where would lazy journalists be without Eurobarometer. In the last year Ireland had the third highest rate of investment in overseas countries. We've so much money at this stage, we cant spend it here any more we're sending it all overseas.
A part of the 35bn which left Irish shores was a significant repatriation of funds to the US as a result of a tax amnesty, however, there was still a very significant level of investment by Irish people in projects overseas. This is obviously in part a reflection that the days when an easy killing could be made in the Irish property market is over and now Irish investors are looking to buy houses and appartments elsewhere. It is also a sign of Irish enterprises making significant aquisitions of property and business interest overseas.
The only worry in all of this is it further demonstrates that Ireland is not the investors market it once was and if we are shipping our own cash overseas it is liklely others may do likewise.
A part of the 35bn which left Irish shores was a significant repatriation of funds to the US as a result of a tax amnesty, however, there was still a very significant level of investment by Irish people in projects overseas. This is obviously in part a reflection that the days when an easy killing could be made in the Irish property market is over and now Irish investors are looking to buy houses and appartments elsewhere. It is also a sign of Irish enterprises making significant aquisitions of property and business interest overseas.
The only worry in all of this is it further demonstrates that Ireland is not the investors market it once was and if we are shipping our own cash overseas it is liklely others may do likewise.
Monday 26 February 2007
Competition Authority Miss The Point
The Competition Authority has warned IBEC and in particular its food and drink sub group for saying that there was likely to be a rise in price due to increased costs faced by business. The Competition body appears to be saying that IBEC is attempting to lead prices.
The purpose of the IBEC statement and statements which have been made by a number of other groups such as Chambers and ISME, is that increased costs faced by business, many of which have been levied by government agencies, make our prices higher and our economy uncompetitive. Food price inflation has for a number of years been below the real inflation rate.
If the Competition Authority wants to see a competitive market it would do well to look at the Governments role.
The purpose of the IBEC statement and statements which have been made by a number of other groups such as Chambers and ISME, is that increased costs faced by business, many of which have been levied by government agencies, make our prices higher and our economy uncompetitive. Food price inflation has for a number of years been below the real inflation rate.
If the Competition Authority wants to see a competitive market it would do well to look at the Governments role.
Tuesday 9 January 2007
Monster Monster Manifesto
As I was hawking through some Manifesto sites recently (as one does) I came across this wee gem. It's an awful shame we don't have a party which compares with the UKs Monster Raving Looney party. I know that people say we don't need one, because all of the parties are taking the piss, but some of the measures in the looney manifesto are just great.
I'll fire up bits from time to time when I cant think of anything more useful to contribute. Todays lessons are in Economics and Environment
Economics
Overview Our team of experts has decided that Income Tax has not proved popular with the public and will therefore be abolished. It was started in order to finance the Napoleonic war in 1799 and we now believe that the time is right to announce the cessation of hostilities with Napoleon. Some of the money left in the coffers will be used to fill in our part of the Channel Tunnel in case no one has mentioned it to the French. Any remaining money will be strategically placed on a horse at the 3-30 at Haydock Park at odds of at least 12/1 in order to see us through until the next election. Income Tax will be officially replaced by people lending the government a bob or two at the end of the week when we’re a bit skint.
Other policies: We will issue a 99p coin to save on change.
The Official Monster Raving Loony Party will not join the single European currency. We will invite all Europeans countries to JOIN THE POUND.
Rich people should be taxed to pay for the printing of money, as they use most of it.
Tax credits will be paid to nice people. There will be a “total bastard” tax for everyone else.
Education
Overview We pledge to reduce class sizes by making the pupils sit closer to one another and issuing them with smaller desks. Any MP whose constituency sells off a school playing field for development will be required to relinquish their own back garden as a replacement sports facility for the school. All future Deputy Prime Ministers will be required to be fluent in at least one language to encourage the education system.
Other policies:
In the interests of fair education policy, under a loony government all children will automatically be given full marks in their exams.
Bright pupils will be provided with dimmer switches to prevent them distracting the rest of the class.
SAT’s tests will be abolished and replaced by Gordon Ramsey style cookery lessons and Rolf Harris art classes.
All children will be given two birthdays like the Queen.
Any child who is cleverer than their teacher will be allowed to take over the class and the teacher will stand at the back with a dunce’s hat on. He or she will then be on half pay until he or she has learnt enough to regain the upper ground. This is our policy for child empowerment.
The number 13 will be abolished due to its longstanding unpopularity. The bus to Acton North will now not have a number on it but not much else will be affected. Therefore if you see a bus with no number on it, it will be going to Acton North. Please remember this for future reference.
Policies for students:
Eton and Oxford will be relocated to Blackpool and Bognor Regis leaving the other Universities with a chance of a bigger intake.
All students will be awarded The Louis Pasteur degree for the scientific research into the growth of mould.
We intend to make free university tuition available to all students named Grant. Any student who says the word “Like” when not grammatically called for, as in, “Hey, I’m .. Like, going down the… like, pub”, or, “I was, like, don’t do that” will be made to go and stay with George Bush for a week in order to discourage them from other stupid ‘Americanisms’
I'll fire up bits from time to time when I cant think of anything more useful to contribute. Todays lessons are in Economics and Environment
Economics
Overview Our team of experts has decided that Income Tax has not proved popular with the public and will therefore be abolished. It was started in order to finance the Napoleonic war in 1799 and we now believe that the time is right to announce the cessation of hostilities with Napoleon. Some of the money left in the coffers will be used to fill in our part of the Channel Tunnel in case no one has mentioned it to the French. Any remaining money will be strategically placed on a horse at the 3-30 at Haydock Park at odds of at least 12/1 in order to see us through until the next election. Income Tax will be officially replaced by people lending the government a bob or two at the end of the week when we’re a bit skint.
Other policies: We will issue a 99p coin to save on change.
The Official Monster Raving Loony Party will not join the single European currency. We will invite all Europeans countries to JOIN THE POUND.
Rich people should be taxed to pay for the printing of money, as they use most of it.
Tax credits will be paid to nice people. There will be a “total bastard” tax for everyone else.
Education
Overview We pledge to reduce class sizes by making the pupils sit closer to one another and issuing them with smaller desks. Any MP whose constituency sells off a school playing field for development will be required to relinquish their own back garden as a replacement sports facility for the school. All future Deputy Prime Ministers will be required to be fluent in at least one language to encourage the education system.
Other policies:
In the interests of fair education policy, under a loony government all children will automatically be given full marks in their exams.
Bright pupils will be provided with dimmer switches to prevent them distracting the rest of the class.
SAT’s tests will be abolished and replaced by Gordon Ramsey style cookery lessons and Rolf Harris art classes.
All children will be given two birthdays like the Queen.
Any child who is cleverer than their teacher will be allowed to take over the class and the teacher will stand at the back with a dunce’s hat on. He or she will then be on half pay until he or she has learnt enough to regain the upper ground. This is our policy for child empowerment.
The number 13 will be abolished due to its longstanding unpopularity. The bus to Acton North will now not have a number on it but not much else will be affected. Therefore if you see a bus with no number on it, it will be going to Acton North. Please remember this for future reference.
Policies for students:
Eton and Oxford will be relocated to Blackpool and Bognor Regis leaving the other Universities with a chance of a bigger intake.
All students will be awarded The Louis Pasteur degree for the scientific research into the growth of mould.
We intend to make free university tuition available to all students named Grant. Any student who says the word “Like” when not grammatically called for, as in, “Hey, I’m .. Like, going down the… like, pub”, or, “I was, like, don’t do that” will be made to go and stay with George Bush for a week in order to discourage them from other stupid ‘Americanisms’
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