2 minute read
A Message from the Chief Executive
Hello readers, I won’t dwell on Budget 2022 as I have included a more formal piece in this bISME on page 12, but in summary, there is a great deal left to be done! Government announced their latest Public Health Measures for return to work on 19th October. As usual, their inconsistencies are evident, but at least Government does seem to be getting the message on antigen testing, 10 months after we wrote to the Tánaiste on the issue last December. The Companies (Rescue Process for Small and Micro Companies) Act 2021 has been signed into law, but is not yet commenced. We are promised it will start early in November. We believe a substantial number of small businesses are going to need to avail of this rescue process, so it cannot happen quickly enough for us. Given the absence of measures to address pensions equity for the self-employed and private sector workers, we will now be taking our Pensions Equity Challenge forward, and we are consulting our lawyers. This will be fluid over the next few months, so keep an eye on the ISME press releases and on our social media. It is interesting but not surprising that business insurance costs continue to rise despite the reduction in awards earlier this year. There are many factors at play here. Unlike motor insurance, there are very few underwriters for public liability and employer liability insurance. Those who remain have no competition, and little cause to reduce their premiums. Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive, ISME
We also need urgent reform on legal costs, occupiers’ liability, PIAB and defamation, for which there appears to be little political appetite. We will keep the pressure on, and we urge you to stay in regular contact with your local TDs - the issue is very far from sorted. The run-up to Christmas this year will be very interesting for a lot of small businesses. On the one hand, there is already a consumer splurge benefitting many in retail. On the other hand, other businesses, particularly in hospitality and entertainment, have gone through two Christmases without an economic level of trade. We will be asking businesses and consumers to support each other this Christmas in our Shop Local campaign but we also recognise that this may be the last Christmas in trade for a minority. If that is your business, remember there are people to talk to - do not carry a burden like that on your own, please share and talk to colleagues and friends about it. Remember - there is no problem you or your business will face this year that someone else has not endured before. There is always help and advice out there for you - just ask!
Stay Safe - we’re almost there! Neill McDonnell ISME CEO
