FSB call on MEP candidates to cut down Euro legislation

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on all candidates in the European Election to commit themselves to tackling the "huge problem of over regulation which is placing a huge burden on small businesses in Northern Ireland".

At the launch of its European Manifesto in Belfast this morning, Dr John McIlwrath, FSB Regional Chairman, also made a plea to Northern Ireland's 60,000 small businesses in this election to "vote only for the candidate, who puts small businesses first and who can represent our interests in what will be a new enlarged EU”.

Dr McIlwrath said: "The FSB welcomes the announcement by the Prime Minister of a referendum on the proposed European Constitution and look forward to having a positive debate on the subject in the coming months. Small Businesses need to play a lead role in this debate as they make up 99.8% of all business throughout the European Union.

“Northern Ireland is a small region, in what will soon be an Enlarged EU with many hundreds of regions which have more serious economic and social problems than us.

“So we need three committed MEPs who can deliver for Northern Ireland and make sure that our local policy agenda is heard loud and clear in Brussels and Strasbourg.”

Wilfred Mitchell, NI Policy Chairman added: “While much of our manifesto covers the wider EU, the FSB would repeat its call for the OFMDFM to convene a Euro Key Players Forum, which could be made up of MEPs, Committee of the Regions Members, Business Groups, DETI and other interested groups to co-ordinate and establish a team approach to Northern Irelands relationships with the EU”

“This is essential if we are serious about getting the best for Northern Ireland out of the EU.”

Northern Ireland's EU Election candidates all addressed the Manifesto launch including Jim Allister QC (DUP), Bairbre De Brun MLA (Sinn Fein), Jim Nicholson MEP (UUP) Cllr Martin Morgan (SDLP) Colm Cavanagh (Alliance).

(MB)