Small Firms Association calls partnership between SMEs and the EU

• SFA chair Geraldine Magnier’s keynote address to the EU SME Seminar in Copenhagen
• SFA calls for better regulations and protection of the Single Market
• Outlined cost challenges facing small businesses in Ireland

Tuesday, 11 November 2025 - The Chairperson of the Small Firms Association, Geraldine Magnier called for the European Commission to act decisively to boost competitiveness for SMEs across the EU in a keynote address to the EU SME Seminar in Copenhagen today. Among other issues, Geraldine called for the EU to implement simplification measures for SMEs, improve regulations and protect the Single Market.

The SME Assembly is the EU's annual conference for small and medium-sized enterprises that occurs as part of the European SME Week. It is a significant event where business leaders, policymakers, and experts meet to discuss challenges, opportunities, policy, and share best practices for SMEs.

In her keynote address to the seminar, Geraldine Magnier called for a partnership between the EU and SMEs:

“SMEs are ready to lead but we can’t do it alone. We need a partnership that is practical, predictable, and purpose driven. So, let this be the decade when we build that partnership where every new law, every new programme, every new funding call that begins with ‘D’ has one simple question: ‘Will this help an SME to grow?’

“If the answer is yes, then Europe’s future is in very good hands.”

Ms Magnier also outlined the state of the small business community in Ireland by drawing on my experience as chairperson of the Small Firms Association and as an entrepreneur that has managed her business through various economic challenges. She noted rising labour-related costs in Ireland as a particular concern.

Ms Magnier believes that the European Commission's simplification agenda should translate into genuine and timely reduction of administrative burden for business, including SMEs, while maintaining the objectives of the legislation.

“Simplification must be felt where it matters most, at the kitchen table of a small business, where decisions are made between invoices and ambition. We need to feel that shift right now, not in the next programme period. SMEs move fast by necessity. Europe must match that pace if it wants us to stay competitive.”

Ms Magnier also called for the integrity of the Single Market to be protected.

“As if the economic challenges weren’t bad enough, we are seeing a slow but noticeable fragmentation of the Single Market. For SMEs competing across borders, that’s not a level playing field. That is not the spirit of a Single Market, that’s the quiet return of red tape by another name, means lost time and lost opportunity.”

Ms Magnier also highlighted the potential benefits of AI for small businesses.

“AI will not replace entrepreneurs but entrepreneurs who embrace AI will outperform those who don’t and I see it every day: the potential of AI for SMEs is immense, if we can get the conditions right. That means access to tools, training, and proportionate regulation. We want smart regulation, not suffocation.”

Speaking about next year’s presidency, Geraldine Magnier said:

“The Irish Presidency of the EU will take place at a pivotal time for Ireland and Europe. A decade defined by disruption has shown that competitiveness and resilience are now inseparable. Europe’s resilience continues to be tested by war on its borders, energy, and migration pressures, and growing geopolitical fragmentation. The Draghi Report mapped the challenges well and set a course for enhancing Europe’s competitiveness and productivity, but one year on from the time of writing, these challenges persist.”

ENDS

Note to Editor:

• For additional media queries, please contact Jonathan McDade, SFA Public Affairs Lead at 087 625 3551.
• The Small Firms Association proudly represents a diverse membership of businesses with less than 50 employees: homegrown and spanning every sector of the economy with members found in every town and every city in Ireland.
• Geraldine Magnier has been the chairperson of the Small Firms Association for the past three years and is the co-founder and CEO of a small company called Idiro Analytics. She is flying the flag for Ibec and is part of the Business Europe delegation which represents the interests of the business community in the EU.