An EY survey has found income tax is the biggest challenge to Irish entrepreneurs. The survey reported that 72% of respondents regarded the personal tax rate as the biggest ‘inhibiting factor’ to starting and growing a business in Ireland.
Ibec is predicting the growth of 50,000 new jobs in Ireland in 2017. The business group reasons that ‘exceptional jobs surge, coupled with tax cuts, wage growth and limited inflation’ will increase consumer spending, and it expects the economy to grow by 3.1% this year.
An EU pilot project is to provide €1.4 million in funding to mussel producers in Ireland and Wales. The project aims to bring together the best scientific research to help fishermen and scientists understand where and when the shellfish can be easiest found. Last year the Irish mussel industry recorded a value of €12 million, with volume of 16,000 tonnes.
Australian stationary retailer Smiggle is opening its first store in Ireland. The stationary retailer also has plans to open as many as 20 stores in the country within the next three years. Smiggle will open in Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin later this month.
Smurfit Kappa is being investigated in Italy for possible anti-competitive practices. The packaging giant has had Italian offices searched alongside those of a number of other packaging groups such as DS Smith and Pro-Gest as part of an inquiry investigating potential price-fixing.
Macra na Feirme is seeking an EU redefinition of the term ‘young farmer’. Macra disapproves of a current rule regarding the Young Farmer scheme, and is lobbying for mandatory agricultural education as a solution. Details of its proposal have been published in a policy paper titled ’Cap 2020: Young Farmer Road Map for Generational Renewal’.
