Mayo councillor claims State hinders entrepreneurship

IRELAND is an anti-entrepreneurial nation, according to Councillor Al McDonnell, the cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council.

So much so that budding entrepreneurs need huge courage to start up in business, the Fianna Fáil councillor told an SPC meeting on Enterprise and Development.

“One of the first things you get in the door in the first few weeks (after startup) is a notice from Revenue”, he stated.

The message is: “We know ye're there. We're watching you.”

Councillor McDonnell also complained about the situation which pertains if a company goes bust.

“Every one of the employees is entitled to redundancy but the person taking the risks is entitled to nothing,” he grumbled.

The councillor added: “How can you expect a company that is in difficulty to pay outstanding redundancy to deserving employees. It's absolutely outrageous.”

Councillor McDonnell praised John Magee and the enterprise section of Mayo County Council for the “extraordinary amount of work” they have done over the years.

However, he claimed, successive national governments have been “anti-enterprise” over the years.

Councillor McDonnell pleaded with Barry Egan, regional manager of Enterprise Ireland, who addressed the SPC meeting, and Mr. Magee to use all their influence with government to change matters and make Ireland a more entrepreneur friendly society.

Responding, Mr. Egan said redundancy issues are not an area that he has a lot of expertise in. However, he said he noted the councillor's comments.