At a breakfast briefing in Dublin IBEC launched 'Driving Europe’s Recovery: An agenda for jobs and growth', which sets out the business community's priorities for Ireland's 2013 Presidency of the European Council. At the launch, IBEC called for renewed efforts at an EU-level to support growth and job creation, and said the Presidency was an opportunity to further bolster Ireland's reputation as a dynamic, competitive and outward-looking member of the EU, firmly on the way to recovery.
Speaking at the launch IBEC Director General Danny McCoy said: "Slow economic growth and rising unemployment in Europe need to be met with decisive action. The new fiscal rules were necessary to help prevent future crises, but they are not enough. In addition to austerity we need economic reforms to boost competitiveness and increase trade, along with targeted investment to improve skill levels and tackle unemployment.
"The EU needs to remain collectively competitive on a global stage. Each member state has a unique model for its economy, but the guiding principles for reform are the same. We need to ensure that labour markets are flexible and that firms have access to staff with the right skills and sufficient capital. We need to reduce red tape and the burden of unnecessary or cumbersome regulation, and we need to improve competitiveness by tackling the cost base in the economy."
Speaking at the launch, Mark Ryan, Country Managing Director at Accenture Ireland and Chair of IBEC’s EU Policy Committee said: “Our economy and our reputation are on a credible road to recovery and internationally there has been a noticeable turnaround in perceptions of Ireland and Irish business. The Irish Presidency is a unique opportunity to further restore our reputation as a dynamic and constructive partner, at the very heart of EU decision-making.”