In the media

In his regular column in the Business Post, Dr Brian Keegan takes a close look at how Joe Biden’s presidency versus Donald Trump’s presidency may impact FDI to Ireland.Dr Keegan is quoted on CNBC; he highlights the uncertainty Irish businesses are facing, with Brexit less than 70 days away.   Professional Tax Leader, Norah Collender is quoted in the Irish Times, on the tax liabilities facing employees who received payments under the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme. “There is a liability arising, and it won’t be easy for people to comprehend”, she says. 

In his regular column in the Business Post, Dr Brian Keegan provides an analysis of Brexit negotiations; with cash, court and catch serving as a proxy for the borders and sovereignty concerns of the UK and EU. While in his Irish Examiner column, Dr Keegan considers the need for a simplified tax and social welfare system.In the Irish Times, the Institute highlights the impact that Brexit will have on the service industry, while the Irish Independent reports on the recent letter sent by Institute President Paul Henry to the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking him to act now to avoid a cliff edge Brexit.   

It has been a busy week for the Institute’s spokespeople across print, broadcast and online channels. Dr Brian Keegan and Professional Tax Leader, Norah Collender spoke over the airways with RTE’s Bryan Dobson and Today FM’s Matt Cooper on Budget Day. Regular feature columns and more are included in this week’s In the Media section.Dr Brian Keegan joined Bryan Dobson on the RTÉ Radio 1 News at One on Tuesday to preview the Budget and to discuss the measures as they emerged. Later on Tuesday afternoon, Norah Collender joined Matt Cooper on Today FM’s The Last Word to parse the Budget speeches and to respond to listeners’ questions. As Budget Day ended, Norah Collender joined RTÉ's Consumer Affairs and Agriculture Correspondent Fran McNulty and Daryl Hanberry of Deloitte for a live Budget 2021 Zoom discussion streamed on RTÉ's social channels. The discussion was led by RTÉ's Brian Finn and the panel responded to questions from viewers. There was also coverage of the Institute’s news release on Budget 2021 measures in the Irish Times, The Irish Examiner, Business Plus and Inside Ireland. In his regular column in the Business Post, Dr Brian Keegan contended that the Government’s  Budget 2021 measures could have a long term impact on business in terms of scrutiny and reporting obligations underpinning business supports. In his column with the Irish Examiner, Dr Keegan noted that the real test on Budget Day will be whether government can get the balance right by borrowing short-term to get the economy back on an even keel for when the pandemic recedes.  In the Sunday Independent, Professional Tax Leader Norah Collender was quoted on behalf of Chartered Accountants Ireland in calls for an alleviation of the pressures facing businesses this October due to tax and CRO deadlines and in an article by Louise McBride on getting ready for the Income Tax Deadline.   

In his regular column in the Business Post, Dr Brian Keegan considers the potential impact of the VAT rate cut from 23 per cent to 21 per cent and contends that the associated cost of such a measure may be more effective if spent elsewhere. In his column in the Irish Examiner, Dr Keegan discusses the EU’s latest multi-million recovery fund, and how EU tax harmonisation reforms coming down the line might push Ireland towards the “Frugal Five” member states of the EU.

In his regular column in the Business Post Post, Dr Brian Keegan considers the July Jobs Stimulus package and notes that the economic impact of COVID-19 is so great that any money pumped in by the government into businesses will realise a benefit but the challenge will be how to maximise the benefit. Commenting on the July Jobs Stimulus announcement last week, Dr Brian Keegan, Director of Public Policy has said, “The July stimulus package throws a lifeline to the SME sector.” You can listen back to Dr Keegan’s interview with RTE Radio 1’s News at One (0:17:38) in the lead up to the release of the stimulus package. You can also read the full press statement here. This statement also received significant media coverage in RTE News, Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Irish Independent, and the Irish Sun.

Take a look at the media coverage of some of the Institute’s statements this week (13 July – 17 July 2020). The Big Tech Show – Dr Brian Keegan in conversation with the Independent’s Adrian Weckler The Next Financial Year: Making Irish Business More Competitive Dr Brian Keegan’s statement on the Apple and Ireland vs European Commission ruling CCAB-I’s 2021 pre-Budget submission The Big Tech Show You can listen to Dr Brian Keegan, Director of Advocacy and Voice in conversation with Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor of the Irish/Sunday Independent on The Big Tech Show.   The Next Financial Year: Making Irish Business More Competitive Today, Chartered Accountants Ireland launches a new position paper “The Next Financial Year: Making Irish Business More Competitive”. Informed by the problems of members/member firms across the island of Ireland in handling COVID-19 it proposes how government can help create a better business environment to boost employment and the economies on the island of Ireland. You can read and download the full position paper here. Take a look at some of our press coverage below: RTE Radio 1: Morning Ireland, 7:30am, Thursday 16 July Irish Examiner: 'One in three' of all firms worry about running out of cash in Covid-19 storm Biz Plus: SMEs Worried About Liquidity and Cashflow Business First UK: Liquidity and cash flow are key concerns for business   Apple and Ireland win appeal against the European Commission’s €13 billion tax ruling In light of this week’s decision by the General Court of the European Union to annul the decision taken by the European Commission that Ireland must collect €13 billion in unpaid taxes from Apple Inc., Dr Brian Keegan has released a statement saying: “Positive European Court decision should curtail EU Commission posturing on State Aid”. This statement has since garnered significant media coverage in news and broadcast sources. News: RTE News: Apple decision recognises 'commercial realities and principles of fairness' - comment by Brian Keegan Irish Times: Ireland wins appeal in €13bn Apple tax case - comment by Brian Keegan (online and print) Irish Times: Industry groups welcome Apple ruling but expect tax spotlight to remain- comment by Brian Keegan (online and print) Shannonside: Ireland wins appeal in €13 billion Apple tax case - comment by Brian Keegan Nova.ie: Apple No Longer Has to Pay Ireland 13 Billion Euro in Unpaid Taxes - comment by Brian Keegan   Broadcast: Newstalk FM – hourly news bulletins Soundbite from Brian Keegan Today FM – The Last Word with Matt Cooper at 5:20pm on 15 July 2020 Interview with Brian Keegan Regional radio – syndication of Brian Keegan’s comments   CCAB-I publishes 2021 pre-Budget submission The CCAB-I’s 2021 Pre-Budget Submission to the Government, has generated significant media coverage in this week's news. You can read the full press release and associated coverage on the Irish Independent RTE News RTE Radio 1 – Morning Ireland Irish Examiner (print)