The Small Firms Association has circulated a Small Business Manifesto to its 8,500 members around the country, encouraging them to question their candidates on a number of topics that are affecting small business across the country, ahead of this week's General Election.
The topics which the SFA recommended its members ask questions on were: Ending tax discrimination against the self-employed and entrepreneurs; Tackling the rising cost of doing business; Boosting investment by improving the capital gains tax regime; Helping small firms to compete for and win public contracts; Developing an affordable childcare system; Ensuring access to high-quality broadband in all parts of the country; Restoring the redundancy rebate; Creating a culture that recognises and values entrepreneurship and business ownership.
Commenting, AJ Noonan, Chairman of the Small Firms Association, said, “Half of all private sector jobs are in small companies, so no party can promise to create jobs without addressing the challenges facing small business. Governments do not create jobs – businesses do.
"This Friday, large numbers of those involved in small business will be using their vote to support candidates and parties that are committed to tax equalisation, flexible working conditions and reducing business costs."
Noonan called on the next Government to "put the right policies in place to increase the ease and attractiveness of doing business in Ireland. Every party and candidate contesting the 2016 election must recognise that small business is essential to Ireland’s economic future."
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Niall Swan
