Latest news with #IrishSmallandMediumEnterprisesAssociation
Business Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Post
Macy's cuts annual profit forecast amid tariff uncertainty
That Sarah Friar has managed to make it to the top of the ladder in Silicon Valley... The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Isme) has called for a 'reset'... Ireland will not engage in or facilitate a 'divide and conquer' approach within... Are you a saver or a spender? At heart I think I'm really a spender, but I learned... The EU's attempts to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) risk stifling innovation... The British firm DrinkWell, which sells what it describes as 'better for you'... Future investments in energy resilience will be 'key' to avoid a repeat of the...
Business Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Post
M&S grocery sales rise as retailer battles hackers
That Sarah Friar has managed to make it to the top of the ladder in Silicon Valley... The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Isme) has called for a 'reset'... Ireland will not engage in or facilitate a 'divide and conquer' approach within... Are you a saver or a spender? At heart I think I'm really a spender, but I learned... The EU's attempts to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) risk stifling innovation... The British firm DrinkWell, which sells what it describes as 'better for you'... Future investments in energy resilience will be 'key' to avoid a repeat of the...
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
ISME elects Sligo's Filan as its new chair
The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has elected Sligo businessman Finbarr Filan as its new Chair at its AGM in Dublin. Mr Filan will serve in the role for two years and will lead ISME's National Council and Board of Directors. A native of Sligo town, Finbarr operates has served as ISME Vice-Chair since 2023 and has held senior roles across the medical device, pharmaceutical and construction sectors before moving into retail. ISME Council member Elaine Dunne, Secretary of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, has been elected Vice-Chair. "I'm honoured to take on the role of ISME Chair at a time when the SME sector is facing both significant challenges and real opportunities. As someone based in the regions, I am particularly focused on ensuring that the voice of SMEs, the backbone of the Irish economy, continues to be heard," Finbarr Filan said. Neil McDonnell, the CEO of ISME, said that Mr Filan brings exceptional experience and a deep understanding of both SME business realities and the broader policy environment. "He is a passionate advocate for town centre regeneration and for ensuring our regional economies thrive. We are delighted to have him lead the association at this important time," he added. As ISME Chair, Finbarr Filan is focused on securing formal representation for SMEs on the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF). He wants reform of how the National Minimum Wage is calculated to ensure it reflects real cost-of-living solutions rather than driving unsustainable wage inflation. He also champions town centre regeneration through enhanced supports for repurposing derelict buildings and advocates VAT rule changes to support earlier SME entry into export markets. On legal and insurance reform, the new ISME chair is calling for a statutory defence against transient retail defamation and implementation of key recommendations from the Kelly Report to help reduce public liability insurance costs and protect SME viability.
Irish Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Businesses appeal for change to defamation laws
The retail and hospitality sectors have urged Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan to tackle 'vexatious defamation litigation being entertained' in the courts, saying they do not feel legally protected. 'The civil law system is actively conspiring to extort money from them in vexatious, unmeritorious litigation,' a letter to the Minister from Neil McDonnell , chief executive of the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Isme) said. The correspondence, obtained under freedom-of-information legislation, followed a recent meeting between Mr McDonnell and Mr O'Callaghan during which current defamation reform was discussed. The sector is specifically concerned about false claims against staff, including alleged shoplifting accusations. READ MORE Isme believes spurious defamation proceedings brought against small businesses are an issue comparable to fake personal injury claims, and often requiring less effort. [ 'They laugh at us': Dublin retailers voice fury at €10,000-plus payouts for defamation over shoplifting Opens in new window ] Isme has estimated the cost of defamation actions to small businesses to fall between €30 million and €50 million annually, based on data from a single security firm. It believes there are also many undocumented payouts. As with other stakeholders, including the media, the business lobby hopes to affect change during the passage of current legislation that would improve its position in legal disputes. Legal reform has long been called for and the programme for government committed to restoring the Defamation Bill and to 'make passing the legislation a priority'. The association is seeking various changes, including the introduction of a 'harm test' and other gatekeeper mechanisms that would restrict or temper such claims. Citing official data, Isme noted that defamation cases in Ireland currently outnumber those of the UK which has a similar legal system. 'When Ireland has the same number of defamation cases as a jurisdiction with a population 12 times greater, there is an undeniable systemic problem,' the letter stated. Mr McDonnell said the argument of a person's 'access to justice' was moot among those in hospitality and retail 'when those sectors identify both the criminal system as failing to protect them and the civil law system as actively conspiring to extort money from them in vexatious, unmeritorious litigation'. Speaking to The Irish Times, Mr McDonnell said there were two types of theft in retail – actual theft and feigned theft where a person will attempt to look suspicious in order to attract an accusation. 'It's more attractive [than fraudulent personal injury] in many ways and the reason why is it's far faster,' Mr McDonnell said of the claims process.
