BUSINESSES, Government and State bodies are being urged to be flexible and responsible to the needs of their business and economic partners during the coronavirus crisis.
Fingal Dublin Chamber, Chambers Ireland and the nationwide network of chambers made the urgent call this morning. They are seeking support to ensure business continuity throughout the crisis.
Fingal Dublin Chamber said a “strength of business people is that working together we find solutions”. “Part of the solution to those businesses seeing their income dry up is to assist in managing their outgoings, with cashflow being critical for all business,” it said.
“To this end, we acknowledge those who are offering deferred payments and longer credit terms and call on those with the capacity to be supportive of business in this critical time.
“The Covid-19 crisis has required extraordinary responses from the State, from society and from the business community, which our network entirely supports – while knowing that further actions will need to occur in the coming days.
“We will continue to support the Government’s measures knowing that the impact of this disease is such that what is unthinkable in the morning can become a reality by the evening.
“It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that each of us helps mitigate the worst of this crisis because it is only through working together that we can beat it.”
Fingal Dublin Chamber chief executive, Anthony Cooney, said: “The tragedy of this illness and the resulting loss of life deeply saddens both myself and every member of our network.
“Like everyone, we are deeply concerned about what lies before us in the coming weeks.
“Our retail and hospitality sectors are bearing the brunt of this first wave of measures that have made up the Government response to the Covid-19 epidemic.
“The closures and the drop in business have done immense damage to the sector, the damage that will take considerable time to recover from.
“That this crisis has occurred at this time of the year is a catastrophe for the economy, with last year’s Brexit uncertainty having already undermined tourism and other industries.”
Mr Cooney warned that many of the “great names” of Irish business may never re-open their doors again without an effective State and policy response.
“As the Government response to this crisis escalates, necessary public health measures will, unfortunately, mean that further sectors will be affected, and deeper damage will be done to our economy,” he said.
“We urge every economic actor to be as flexible and supportive as they can be while these unique circumstances unfold over the coming weeks.
“Most importantly, all State bodies need to be sincere and flexible in their engagements with businesses.”
Mr Cooney added: “Our national representative body, Chambers Ireland, is engaged at the highest levels to ensure that the real economy is supported through the crisis and the network of Chambers are on the ground throughout the country supporting business.”