Irish Business and the EU Network Update August 2016 Chambers Ireland and the European Union Chambers Ireland works not only to represent the views of Irish business nationally, but we also work with a network of European Chambers of Commerce to ensure that the interests of Irish business are represented at European level. A core part of our work is to monitor and influence legislation debated and agreed at European level so that we can ensure that Irish business can provide input on any regulatory changes that may impact them in the future. In the post-Brexit climate, it is now more important than ever for Irish business to engage with the European Union. As part of our efforts to represent the interests of Irish business, we have identified a number of key areas that we believe require the attention of our elected officials both in Dublin and in Brussels. Our policy priorities for 2016 include; Smart Regulation Internal Market Helping SMEs Trade Internationally Customs and Trade Facilitation Promoting trade and investment Our Work with Eurochambres Chambers Ireland is a member of Eurochambres, the European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Founded in 1958 it forms one of the key pillars of business representation to the European Institutions. It voices the interests of over 19 million member enterprises in 45 European Countries through a network of National, regional and local Chambers. More than 90% of these enterprises are SMEs and Chamber members employ over 120 million people. The mission of Eurochambres is to represent, serve and promote European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, strengthening the voice and position of European Chambers as significant, respected, valued influencers of European affairs on all major economic issues. Chambers Ireland is represented on a number of policy committees established by Eurochambres, including; Trade and Investment Committee; the Better Regulation Committee; the SME Policy Committee; and the EU Single Market Committee. Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, Ian Talbot, was appointed Deputy President of Eurochambres in 2016 and is the Chairperson of the Eurochambres Finance and Economy Committee. Making the EU Work for Irish Business As part of our work in promoting the need for a business-friendly EU, Chambers Ireland hosts events to brief Chamber staff and members on issues of importance to Irish business. One such event took place on the 12th May in St. Stephens Green Hibernian Club where we organised panel discussions to discuss how EU policy works, and in some cases does not work, for the benefit of Irish business. Brexit- The UK Referendum Result Following on from the announcement on the 24th June 2016 that the UK has voted to leave the European Union 51.9% to 48.1%, Chambers Ireland has been working to brief the Irish Chamber Network on the ongoing developments and what they mean for Irish business. In the aftermath of the result, Chambers Ireland published a guide for chambers on what the result means for business. We also blogged on what business could do to prepare for a UK exit from the European Union and examined on what the UK referendum result means for the rest of the EU. For all updates on Brexit and our work on behalf of the Irish Chamber Network, be sure to visit our website. Market Access and helping SMEs Trade Internationally Chambers Ireland maintains representation on the Eurochambres Customs Committee and the International Chambers of Commerce Certificate of Origin Committee. Chambers Ireland is also represented on the Revenue’s Customs Consultative Committee, which is a forum for representatives of trade organisations to discuss new EU customs legislation and proposed procedures. Chambers Ireland represents the interests of the Irish Chamber Network and its members by highlighting any problems companies experience when importing and exporting outside of the EU. For example, should a country introduce new Customs procedures that would be unduly burdensome on exporters, we would then raise the issue with our colleagues in the ICC and in Eurochambres who can then liaise on our behalf with the Market Access Team in DG Trade and with the broader international Embassy network. European Parliament of Enterprises Eurochambres, in cooperation with Chambers Ireland and the European Parliament, will host the 4th “European Parliament of Enterprises” in Brussels on the 13th October 2016. More than 800 entrepreneurs from 45 European countries, from all business sizes and sectors, will gather in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels to act as MEPs for one day, debating and voting on crucial policy issues. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase the European dimension and international opportunities available to Chamber members. The aim of the event is to provide policy makers with direct, bottom-up feedback on EU policies affecting the business community. Topics for debate will include trade inside and outside the EU, energy and environment, skills and migration. Registration for the European Parliament of Enterprises is now open and will close at the end of August 2016. We encourage all chambers to promote this excellent opportunity to their members. Each chamber may nominate no more than two businesses/entrepreneurs from the chamber so as to ensure regional balance. Please visit our website to learn more about the EPE. Media Chambers Ireland’s work on EU policy receives coverage in both international and national press outlets. Please see below for a list of coverage featuring Chambers Ireland across media outlets. Print Irish Examiner- In Perspective: Consequences for Ireland (25/6/2016) Irish Independent- Brexit vote will fundamentally change Ireland’s relationship with UK (24/6/2016) Irish Independent- Deal or no deal: Is TTIP good for us? (16/7/2016) Irish Independent- Public wants referendum on TTIP-poll (25/7/2016) Belfast Telegraph- TTIP-People in Republic of Ireland want referendum on trade deals (26/7/2016) Online Euractiv- TTIP: The Irish Case for Increased Transatlantic Ties (20/11/2015) Fora.ie- Is Ireland really equipped to benefit from foreign investment post-Brexit? (28/6/2016) DeCorrespondent.nl- The Irish fear violence, a wall and an end to trade (1/7/2016) New Statesman- Brexit is the beginning of the end for Northern Ireland (28/7/2016) TV CNN Quest Means Business- Interview with Ian Talbot regarding the Brexit Referendum (2/6/2016) CNN Quest Means Business- Interview with Ian Talbot regarding the impact of Brexit on the Irish economy (12/7/2016) Podcast/Radio NPR “All Things Considered” with Frank Langfitt- Interview with Ian Talbot on the Irish economy in the wake of Brexit (8/7/2016) NPR “All Things Considered” with Frank Langfitt- Interview with Ian Talbot on the UK Referendum result and uncertainty in Ireland (25/7/2016) Submissions in 2016 Chambers Ireland has identified a number of policy priorities of importance to Irish business which requires our attention throughout 2016. Amongst these priorities include the need for a Single Market (particularly a Digital Single Market) that works for business, an ambitious trade and investment agenda so that Irish business can continue to gain access to new markets around the world and lastly, a commitment from the European Commission to continue to emphasise the need for better regulation, so that SMEs are not adversely impacted by new laws. As part of our work, we provide input to the European Commission and to the Oireachtas on a range of issues so that the voice of Irish business is heard by our law-makers. You can read the complete range of submissions on our website. Q1 Submission to the European Commission on the Common Consolidated Tax Base (January) As part of our submission, we called on the European Commission to ensure that Member States are allowed to retain their tax sovereignty in order to develop the tax policies that are most appropriate to their requirements. This is particularly important for Ireland so that our 12.5% Corporate Tax rate is maintained. Submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs Enterprise and Innovation on TTIP (January) Chambers Ireland believes that it is important that the European Commission seeks alternative ways to improve market access for European firms, as well as working for a constant improvement of trade rules. We believe that the TTIP should set a new global standard as an SME-friendly trade agreement and that the focus should be on streamlining and reducing the administrative burdens associated with customs procedures; offering tailored support for exporting SME’s; and providing cost effective access to investment protection for companies of all sizes. Ireland stands to benefit more than any other EU member state from a trade deal with the US. These benefits must also be felt by SMEs. Q2 Submission to DJEI on Proposed Digital Content Directive (April) We believe that ensuring the Digital Single Market (DSM) works for businesses across all 28 member states will be hugely important in the coming years, as the cross-border trade of digital good and services becomes a much larger part of all our economies. However, innovation and growth in Europe’s Digital Single Market should be at the heart of any new legislation and it is important that a balance is struck between the rights of the consumer and that of the digital content providers. It is vital that any new reforms introduced as part of the DSM package does not adversely impact SMEs. Submission to the European Commission on Non-Binding Guidelines for Reporting Non- Financial Information (April) As part of our submission to the European Commission, we noted that guidelines on reporting non-financial information should focus on shareholder interests, should be user-friendly and should give detail on examples of best practice.