Representation and Lobbying

In addition to its services to members, one of ISME's major roles is to continually raise a wide range of issues relating to business competitiveness directly with Government Departments, Institutions and the Media.

ISME's Pre-Budget 2012 Submission

Click Here To Download ISME Pre-Budget Submission

ISME's Pre-Election Submission 2011

Click Here To Download ISME Pre-Election Submission

ISME Chairman and CEO Appointed to Small Business Advisory Group

ISME Chairman, John Ryan and Chief Executive, Mark Fielding pictured with Taoiseacht Enda Kenny & Minister for Small Business, John Perry at the first meeting of the Small Business Advisory Group on 16th June 2011.

ISME's Achievements from Lobbying

• ISME successfully lobbied for the introduction of the Employment Subsidy Scheme and the Employers PRSI Exemption scheme to assist companies in retaining employment.
• ISME successfully lobbied for the introduction of a banking code of practices and the Credit Review Office.
• Secured changes to the Public Procurement process to make it more accessible to SMEs.
• ISME was also instrumental in securing the right of offset for delayed redundancy rebates against other tax liabilities and the 20% reduction in the Revenue Commissioners penalty interest.
• ISME successfully lobbied for an increase in the turnover threshold amount, which small businesses are required to be audited, increased from €1.5m to €7.3m.
• The Association was instrumental in the introduction of the Bank Switching Code, which allows small businesses to change banks in a faster and more efficient manner.
• ISME lobbied successfully for the increase in thresholds and an extension of both the Business Expansion Scheme (BES) and the Seed Capital Scheme (SCS)
• The Association secured an increase on the thresholds for VAT on a cash receipts basis from €625k to €1m.
• ISME was Instrumental in the Minister for Finance's decision to remove the €50,000 threshold on Research & Development (2004 Budget).
• ISME encouraged the Government to allow Owner /Managers the right to self manage their pension funds after retirement.
• The Association succeeded in getting the Competition Authority to conduct an in-depth review of the banking sector to establish charging/lending policies to SMEs.
• ISME committed the Tanaiste to introduce the Personal Injuries Assessment Board to tackle the insurance crisis and reduce premium by some 30 %.