11th June 2025
- The Cost of Business Advisory Forum met today for the first time
- Group chaired by Former Labour Court Judge Kevin Foley, and Vice Chaired by Mr. Ronan Byrne, Manager of Bloomfield Hotel
The Inaugural meeting of a new Department of Enterprise-led group to examine the costs involved in running a business held its first meeting today.
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke has established the new group with the aim of reducing the cost of running a business, and addressing delays which can impact the operation of businesses in Ireland. For the first time, regulators will be directly in the room to hear from business owners and representatives themselves.
The Forum brings together business owners, retailers, tourism operators, accounting professionals and representative groups—alongside regulators and state agencies—to look at the structural issues that are driving up costs and the steps that could be taken to mitigate them.
“I've been looking forward to the first meeting of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum, and hearing directly from the people who run businesses, employ our citizens and keep our economy strong. I believe it is important for our regulators, our Government Departments and our decision-makers to hear directly from this key cohort, the people that are at the coal face when we implement policy and regulations.
“I want to thank Mr. Kevin Foley, former Chair of the Labour Court, and Mr. Ronan Byrne, General Manager of Bloomfield Hotel for agreeing to be our Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, respectively. This Forum is about balance and reflecting all sectors of business, and ensuring all voices are heard in this important discussion.
“After our initial meeting, each subsequent session will focus on a specific theme, like licensing, infrastructure, or regulatory fees, with the relevant regulators invited to attend and respond. The goal is to create a space where businesses can speak directly to decision-makers about the real-world impact of rules and charges—and identify areas to make practical changes.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Group includes representatives from:
- American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham)
- Chambers Ireland
- Chartered Accountants Ireland
- Irish Business Employers Confederation (IBEC)
- Irish Exporters Association
- Irish Farmers Association (IFA)
- Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (ISME)
- Irish Tax Institute
- Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC)
- Retail Excellence Ireland
- Small Firms Associations (SFA)
- Central Bank
- Coimisiún na Mean
- Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg)
- Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)
- Companies Registration Office
- Competition and Consumer Protection Commission
- Eirgrid
- Enterprise Ireland
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- ESB Networks
- Fáilte Ireland
- Gas Networks Ireland
- Health & Safety Authority
- IDA Ireland
- Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)
- Office of the Revenue Commissioners
- Immigration Service Delivery
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