Goal 4:

Develop new consumer protection legislation so that consumers can continue to make well-informed decisions about their choices and have access to effective redress mechanisms.

Facilitate the Personal Injuries Resolution Board to resolve personal injury claims without the need for litigation, thereby reducing the costs of personal injury claims and facilitate reductions in insurance premiums.

Maintain a strong connection between enterprise and higher education to ensure that future skills need of business are met, including through upskilling.

Continue to work collaboratively across Government and to engage with stakeholders to ensure that our taxation regime works for all businesses including self-employed sole traders, SMEs and large multinationals.

Lead across Government on the development of evidence and data-based policy recommendations that will contribute to a competitive environment for investment, productivity, entrepreneurship and employment, drawing on the work and recommendations of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council.

Implement effective business regulation and reduced administrative burdens, through the development of policy that is evidence-based, employing and promoting the SME Test, public consultation and impact analysis.

Continue structured engagement with a wide range of stakeholder bodies and representative organisations.

Promote a coherent and effective regulatory framework to maintain Ireland’s position as a digital regulatory hub.

Promote good intellectual property management, including through participation in the Unified Patent Court.

Outcome

A business environment facilitating investment and development, competition in the marketplace, and high standards of consumer protection and corporate governance.

Figure from page 22

How we achieve this

Work with our EU and international partners and build and strengthen alliances to shape emerging policies, standards, regulation and international agreements that impact Ireland’s economic and business environment.

Promote free, open trade to support Ireland’s economic model and to protect critical supply chains, advocate for new EU Free Trade Agreements and for maintaining and deepening transatlantic trade relations.

Work across Government and with our EU partners to identify and remove barriers to trade, particularly in services, to secure a fully functioning EU Single Market for the benefit of our exporters, businesses and other consumers.

Strengthen cross-border trade and foster opportunities for North-South collaboration to enhance the all-Island economy, deliver on Shared Island objectives, and support economic growth in strategic border locations, including through business supports provided by Intertrade Ireland.