Election Day 2016: Making sure the business voice is heard
As the country goes to the polls, I want to briefly update you on the Ibec campaign and recent activity.
Last October, we launched our election campaign and set out a broad and ambitious vision for the country (www.ibec.ie/ambition). We looked to the various parties to take this on board and reflect it in their manifestos and campaigns. The political campaign of recent weeks hadn't always captured the imagination, but Ibec has been relentless in ensuring that the business voice was central. We have highlighted the need for sensible tax policies that better reward work and have very explicitly warned of the dangers of political instability and the rise of anti-business protest parties of the left.
More than any other lobby, Ibec's views and those of our members have been reflected in national media coverage. In the last week alone Ibec has repeatedly featured on the front pages of our national newspapers. Ibec's concerns and priorities have been put directly and repeatedly to political leaders in key national debates and interviews. They have featured in the editorials of both the Irish Times and Irish Independent in the last couple of days. A nationwide campaign has also delivered unprecedented coverage in the regional print and broadcast media every week for the last two months. This activity has been supported by a high-profile national print and online advertising campaign.
So what next? Today's vote will determine the shape of the next government and Ibec will continue to work to ensure the policies of that government support business, growth and job creation. Of course the formation of a new administration may not be straightforward, but Ibec is already working to ensure that, whatever the outcome, new ministers will be fully aware of the needs and aspirations of Irish business.
Whatever the outcome, I believe Election 2016 has demonstrated the important role the business voice has in national political discourse.
Please get in touch with any comments and queries, they're always appreciated.
All the best
Danny McCoy
Thursday, 25 February 2016