Limerick conference to support small businesses and enterprise – O’Donnell

Supporting small businesses and enterprise during a time of increased costs will be the focus of a specially organised Fine Gael conference in Limerick next week.

Deputy Kieran O’Donnell said the ‘Small Business and Enterprise Conference’ at the iconic Thomond Park stadium, Limerick, on Saturday, 24^th September, should prove extremely useful to all who work for themselves, want to develop their business, or explore working in a new professional field.

Among those speaking at the conference are An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, Mairead McGuinness, and Ministers Paschal Donohoe, Heather Humphreys, Simon Harris and Damien English.

Prominent business and enterprise figures attending include Pat Rigney, Managing Director and Founder of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin, Helen O’Donnell, owner of Limerick-based business Dolmen Catering and Pierce Dargan, Chief Executive Officer of Equine MediRecord.

“This will be an opportunity for people to come together with Fine Gael public representatives to listen, discuss and debate how we can ensure that policy – at a local, national and European level – supports small businesses and enterprise in these challenging times and in the years ahead,” Deputy O’Donnell said.

“Small businesses and people starting out on their own paths need every support possible. We want to reward work and enterprise.

“The last decade has shown how Fine Gael backs business and jobs to ensure we have a strong economy to withstand all challenges.

“After the recession, the country got back on its feet and jobs and investment returned. Ahead of any potential repercussions from Brexit, assistance and supports were made available to help all those through it.

“When Covid hit our shores, loans, credit payments, employment wage subsidy schemes and several drastic measures were taken to ensure small employers would survive and entrepreneurs could take brave steps to establish new ways of working.

“We are now faced with an international energy supply battle and we want to make sure all are helped through this time.

“Attending the event in Limerick are the incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s European Commissioner Mairead McGuiness and Eurogroup Minister Paschal Donohoe. They want to  your input and views on what challenges you are facing and what opportunities might be untapped.

“I look forward to welcoming participants at the Conference to Limerick and hope they also avail of the opportunity to enjoy all that our City and County has to offer,” Deputy O’Donnell said.

Please register for the event here: https://www.finegael.ie/events/smeconference