Irish Cabinet asked to identify business red tape cuts by September deadline

Irish ministers have been tasked with identifying and cutting red tape that burdens businesses. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Enterprise Minister Peter Burke have written to their Cabinet colleagues, requesting a list of proposed actions by the end of September.

This directive follows a report by economist Alan Barrett, chairman of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council. The report highlighted the significant regulatory burden on Irish firms, stating that the country's excessive and complex regulations place it below average among other nations.

The ministers are urged to identify how their departments can reduce red tape through increased digitalization, streamlining, and simplification. They are also encouraged to remove duplication and explore less burdensome alternatives for achieving departmental aims. Sectors like retail and childcare are specifically mentioned as suffering from high administrative requirements, including licenses, permits, and certificates.

The initiative aligns with findings from an Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development report, which ranked Ireland below the average of member countries in terms of ease of doing business. The government's push aims to make it simpler and more efficient for businesses to operate within the country.