Business that 'breathes life' into Carlow at risk of closure because of government 'red tape'

A business that "breathes life" into Carlow is at risk of closure because of the "red tape that is strangling Irish businesses." 

That's the message from Cynthia Ní Mhurcú, who raised the issue of small and medium-sized businesses struggling in the Seanad.

In a post on Facebook, the MEP uses PJ Hickson as an example of someone whose business is being "buried under bureaucracy." 

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"PJ is sinking in red tape. To run his business, he needs separate licenses... for wine, spirits, beer, tobacco, vapes, fuel, wild salmon," Cynthia explained. 

She added that he needs a total of 20 licenses, all of which require paperwork, cost, inspections, and more.

Businesses also then have to deal with a number of organisations such as the HSE, Irish Water, the Health and Safety Authority, and Revenue.

PJ is just one example of a number of small to medium-sized businesses that are struggling with these regulations and facing closure because of them.

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"He's the kind of businessman that really breathes life into the urban and rural aspects of County Carlow. His business creates jobs, supports local teams, provides opportunities for hauliers and a raft of other businesses," Cynthia highlighted. 

She is calling for regulations to be streamlined to support local businesses and ensure they can thirve rather than be "suffocated."