Ibec calls for companies to be allowed more freedom to decide how they reopen

The business and employers’ organisation Ibec has called for “more autonomy” for businesses to decide how they reopen as remaining restrictions are eased in the coming months.

In a letter to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, IBEC chief Danny McCoy welcomes the news that the Government is drawing up a revised roadmap for the reopening of society but says “it is vital that this new roadmap is less prescriptive in nature than previously”.

“Specifically,” Mr McCoy writes, “it must provide the autonomy for all businesses to reopen fully in a safe and phased way”.

“The new roadmap must enable businesses to finally plan with certainty for a phased and safe return to office over the coming weeks and months,” he says.

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The group also adds its voice to the demands for live events to reopen and says they should be allowed to begin reopening “no later than mid-September”.

“Ibec also remains very concerned about the impact of the ongoing restrictions on elements of the Experience Economy,” Mr McCoy writes.

“The particularly long length of the restrictions period for these businesses has left many of them and their employees in perilous circumstances. These businesses will face a difficult path in the return to viability, but Government restrictions should no longer be one of the obstacles that they need to grapple with.

“The roadmap must provide absolute clarity and certainty for all businesses to fully reopen as quickly as possible, beginning no later than mid-September.”