Retail Ireland has argued that the Government should reduce PRSI rates for employers in the budget to offset pressure which the proposed rise in the minimum wage will put on employers.
Retail sales rose by 2.3 percent in the year to the end of June - and they are 2.8 percent higher than last year.
Sales are still 14 percent below pre-crash levels.
The group is also calling on the government to reduce the tax burden on consumers to increase disposable incomes - and for the government to help retailers to develop their online platforms.
______________________________________________________
Dublin Start-up Commissioner, Niamh Bushnell says that she is hopeful that the upcoming budget will include measures which will make it easier for individuals to invest in start-ups.
The proposals - which were submitted by the Dublin Start-up Leaders Group - mirror a successful scheme which has been introduced in the UK.
In the UK investments of up to €140,000 are eligible for income tax reliefs - and capital gain tax reliefs of 50%.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner - Ms Bushnell warned that there is a ‘war for talent’ - and that after making viable products, Irish companies are struggling to raise the funds needed to bring products to market.
______________________________________________________
It emerged yesterday that some 2,000 foreign traders selling into the Irish market received letters from The Revenue Commissioner demanding additional VAT payments.
The letters caused confusion and some traders suspected that they were part of an elaborate scam.
Revenue has confirmed that the letters were sent out by mistake - and that no additional money is owed by these companies.
It has also been noted that the IBAN number on the letters had one incorrect digit - Revenue says that this was due to a typing error.
______________________________________________________
A test case in New York could open the legal floodgates for investors and companies affected by the foreign exchange rate rigging scandal.
The Financial Times reports that 9 banks who were involved in the market manipulation have paid-out $2bn in a settlement with thousands of investors in New York.
Lawyers have warned that there could be an even greater number of claims from investors in London, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The banks who rigged foreign exchange markets have already been hit with record fines - this ruling suggests that this story is not over.
