Ibec responds to latest Covid restrictions

Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has today said that the latest Covid restrictions, whilst devastating, were proportionate to the challenges which the country now faces.  

Commenting on today’s Government announcement, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy said: “Many businesses will suffer further loss and distress as a result of the latest Covid restrictions but given the recent Covid developments internationally and developing on the island, the speed and intensity of the response was proportionate.  

“We will continue to work with Government to explore how supports to the worst impacted sectors can be extended and calibrated. The exceptional performance of the overall economy during the year has meant that Government has the necessary resources to support those sectors which are bearing the heaviest burden of the ongoing restrictions. The adjustment of the restrictions to ensure that all of retail can continue to trade is the right call and will protect the livelihoods of thousands of workers over the coming period.  

“The past year has been an exceptionally challenging one for all businesses but Government, with support of a resilient economy, can continue to provide targeted measures to those businesses which have suffered the most. We must collectively continue to address the challenge of the virus while preserving businesses and our economy for the strong recovery which will emerge in 2021 and beyond.”