To co-incide with the start of Election Week, the Small Firms Association (SFA) has circulated a Small Business Manifesto to its 8,500 members around the country.
The Association have called for an end to "tax discrimination" against the self-employed and entrepreneurs.
Their manifesto also calls for the need to tackle the rising cost of doing business
in Ireland as well as the neccessity of boosting investment by improving the capital gains tax regime.
In particular, the SFA have called for the reintroduction of a Small Business Minister.
Chairman of the Small Firms Association, AJ Noonan says, "Half of all private sector jobs are in small companies, so no party can promise to create jobs without addressing the challenges facing small business. Governments do not create jobs – businesses do.
"This Friday, large numbers of those involved in small business will be using their vote to support candidates and parties that are committed to tax equalisation, flexible working conditions and reducing business costs."
He added, "Every party and candidate contesting the 2016 election must recognise that small business is essential to Ireland’s economic future. We must choose a Government that will put small business at the heart of its policies in order to boost job creation, enhance local communities and drive economic progress."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
