Irish CCI Supports McCreevy's Budget Measures
by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London
08 December 2003

Chief Executive of the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI), John Dunne, has welcomed Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy’s cautious budget, suggesting that it will give a much-needed confidence boost to the many firms currently “skating on thin ice”.

Mr Dunne observed that “although there are tentative signs of recovery in the business climate, many businesses are still on the critical list and it was vital that today’s budget gave business a much needed shot in the arm.”

The CCI chief also endorsed the “macro-economic impact of the budget, the creation of multi-annual funding for capital projects and the range of targeted tax reliefs the minister has announced.”

“We are relieved at the Government’s acknowledgement of the principle that it should fund the cost of local authority benchmarking as it will mean that business will no longer be expected to bear the full burden through increased commercial rates and service charges,” added Mr Dunne, although he expressed disappointment that it still falls short of the total cost by 70 million euros.

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