Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown SMEs have their voice heard at Govt level – Mitchell O’Connor

Small businesses got a valuable opportunity to have their voices heard this morning (Thursday) as Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy Mary Mitchell O’Connor invited the Minister for Small Business, John Perry TD, to a ‘Listening to Small Business’ meeting in Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel, Killiney.

After the meeting, Deputy Mitchell O’Connor said: ‘It is vital for these small business owners and representatives to have opportunities like this to voice their concerns. We heard today about the real issues that are of huge concern for these businesses, such as commercial rates, parking, counterfeit goods, JLCs, and upward only rents. We also heard about the newer, more practical issues that are important to their customers such as access to wi-fi, as well as hearing very positive feedback on The Gathering and the effect it is having on their business. We will be following up with all those issues in the coming weeks and months to ensure that action is taken where needed.’

Minister Perry invited Deputy Mitchell O’Connor and SME representatives to join an advisory group in Leinster House next month to follow up on today’s meeting. The Minister also remarked that the fundamental changes that are coming in terms of local government would provide for more power to be held locally. This would speed up the engagement between businesses and local government on local issues.

These local issues were voiced by passionate speakers from organisations that represent thousands of small businesses in the constituency, the county and countrywide, such as RGDATA (Retail Grocery Dairy & Allied Trades Association), NOffLA (National Off-Licence Association), NFRN (National Federation of Retail Newsagents), LVA (Licensed Vintners Assoc.), CSNA (Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association), SBDA (Sandyford Business District Association), Dalkey Business Association, Glasthule Traders, Blackrock Traders, Sandycove Traders, Dun Laoghaire Business Association, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber of Commerce, W.I.B.A., various Public Houses and small businesses from the constituency.

Ends