Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I convened the inaugural meeting of the cost of business advisory forum on 11 June 2025. In my opening remarks, I shared my vision and expectation that the forum would "create a space where businesses can speak directly to decision-makers about the real-world impact of rules and charges, and identify areas where practical changes can be made". The establishment of the forum delivers on a key commitment in the programme for Government. The forum is a subgroup of my Department's enterprise forum. I was pleased to appoint Mr. Kevin Foley as its chair and Mr. Ronan Byrne as vice chair.

The forum presents a unique opportunity for tripartite engagement, with Departments and regulators hearing directly from business owners and representatives. I was very encouraged to see a strong turnout at the first meeting and diverse representation from enterprise bodies across retail, tourism, agriculture, small businesses and the multinational sector. At the meeting, the chair outlined the forum's operational approach and its terms of reference were formally adopted. To set the scene, presentations were delivered by my officials on Ireland's economic landscape and by IBEC on the theme of regulatory ambition.

The forum's purpose is to examine the factors contributing to the rising cost of doing business in Ireland, including regulatory and infrastructural challenges that may require a sharper focus and a revised approach. It will identify practical steps to help to reduce those costs. To assist with its review, the forum will hold a series of follow-up thematic meetings on topics such as regulatory cost and simplification, planning and Infrastructure, technology and innovation, visas and work permits, and utility costs. This is not an exhaustive list. It will develop with input from stakeholders as the engagement process continues over the coming six months.

A high level of engagement is not only welcomed but is strongly encouraged through the forum and also via the public consultation methodology, which is now live on my Department's webpage. Members of the public, as well as all participants in the enterprise forum and retail forum, are invited to contribute to the consultation. Submissions are open until 20 June.

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