Irish SMEs Urge More Urgent Action from EU Institutions to Support Growth

Chambers Ireland has today (16/10/14) said that more urgent action is required from EU institutions to support growth. The call came from a delegation of Irish SMEs led by Chambers Ireland at the European Parliament of Enterprises in Brussels. 

The European Parliament of Enterprises allows business people from all over Europe to become Members of the European Parliament of Enterprises (MEPEs) for one day and gain unique insights into how one of the most powerful bodies in Europe goes about their decision making process. Chambers Ireland has brought a delegation of representatives of the Irish business community to participate in this year’s event.

Speaking this afternoon, Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland said “EU regulation and legislation has a significant impact on SMEs, however, the majority of small businesses know very little about how these regulations are developed. The European Parliament of Enterprises gives SMEs a unique opportunity to experience firsthand how important decisions are made at the highest level and raise any concerns they may have. The Irish delegation raised the importance of EU investment for energy and infrastructure programmes and highlighted the potential Ireland had to be at the forefront of the development of the energy sector.”

Debates and voting sessions took places throughout the day centring on the issues of internationalisation, skills, finance and energy. “The results of these votes highlight the urgent need for an effective single European energy market, more innovative financial supports for SMEs and a European apprenticeship programme,” he concluded.


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For further information please contact Amy Woods, Chambers Ireland on 014004319, 086 6081605 or email amy.woods@www.chambers.ie 

Notes to Editors
About the European Parliament of Enterprises
The European Parliament of Enterprises (EPE) is an initiative developed by Eurochambres, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The event allows business people from all over Europe to become Members of the European Parliament of Enterprises (MEPEs) for one day and get a unique look at how one of the most powerful bodies in the world goes about their decision making process. The first event took place in 2008 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Eurochambres. 

751 entrepreneurs, or MEPEs, from EU countries, gather in the symbolic location of the Hemicycle of the European Parliament. The composition of the EPE reflects the number of Members of the European Parliament per member state. Additionally, 53 seats have been allocated for entrepreneurs coming from the 18 non-EU EUROCHAMBRES members. The EPE recreates a parliamentary session and gives the floor to European entrepreneurs. This highlights the “economic democracy” of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry through their representation and their structure.

On the day, MEPEs will hear a range of presentations from key EU personnel and take part in debates on topics of significance to the business community. This year, the major topics are internationalisation, skills, finance and energy.  There will also be voting sessions which will allow participants to vote on issues and see the decision making process first hand. 

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