Small businesses ‘need better infrastructure to reduce emissions’

Speaking at the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association’s (ISME) annual conference, group chairman JJ Killian said that Irish infrastructure is “seriously lagging” behind other developed countries.

He told delegates at the conference in County Laois on October 19 that this trend is holding up development and adding to business pollution.

Mr Killian added that research suggests that traffic congestion in the country is costing businesses in excess of Euro 2.5 billion every year. It is also adding to company emissions.

In particular, Mr Killian said that the government needed to act to improve broadband and waste facilities for business and work to create a “world class” road and rail system.

In conclusion, he reiterated the ISME’s recent call for a new National Transport Management Agency.

This should have powers similar to those of the Environmental Protection Agency, he explained.

James Cooper