Chamber head to urge stronger leadership

IRELAND NEEDS stronger and more visible leadership from its senior civil servants to turn policy intentions into real action, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce says.

Chamber president Peter Brennan will tell the group’s annual dinner tonight that the “implementation deficit disorder” prevalent in many parts of the public sector must be overcome if the Government is to meet its target of reducing the deficit to 3 per cent of gross domestic product within four or five years as required by the European Commission. “The bond markets must be sent an unequivocal message that Ireland can manage its fiscal crisis,” says Mr Brennan.

Everyone in employment should come into the income tax net, he will tell 1,300 guests in the Convention Centre Dublin. Such structural tax changes could raise as much as €3 billion while the disposal of State assets could yield as much as €4 billion.

He will call for the delivery of the “more economically logical recommendations of Bord Snip Nua and the Local Authority Efficiency Review Group”, which, he says, will save at least €6 billion. A further €1 billion saving could come from more systematic outsourcing of public services such as water and waste, he suggests, enabling Ireland to close its funding gap.

He will stress the importance of retaining Ireland’s 12.5 per cent corporation tax rate.

The Chamber event will be addressed by Goldman Sachs chairman Peter Sutherland.