Today, the EU and UK agreed to a new trade deal. In a press conference, Commission President von der Leyen and EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier outlined some of the key provisions, Prime Minister Johnson did the same in London. 
  
As a reminder, these are some of the points Orgalim have been calling for in the past; https://orgalim.eu/position-papers/trade-orgalim-position-paper-future-eu-uk-trade-relations 
  

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) has called on the Government to produce a coherent roadmap for sustainable reopening.  ​The VFI said that pubs are at the mercy of Government and NPHET decision making, which will see food outlets closing just three weeks after reopening in early December.

Pubs serving food reopened two weeks ago after going through a six-week closure while traditional pubs are closed since 15th March, except for a brief two-week trading period in late September.

​The Irish Exhibition Organisers' Association (IEOA) calls on exhibitors, SMEs and industry bodies to re-engage with trade fair and exhibition professionals as we enter 2021. This call was made as the IEOA launched their Covid-19 protocols, as well as on foot of Government clarity about the operation of trade fairs and exhibitions under levels 1 and 2 of Covid-19 Government guidelines. These IEOA-drafted Covid-19 protocols will be in place to ensure best practice health and safety standards are delivered once trade fairs and exhibitions recommence.

Download the EFCEM BREXIT Business Briefing presentation from Keith Warren, Director of the UK Foodservice Equipment Association, which took place on 15th December 2020.

A new report by EY titled ‘What now for city tourism?’ has found that city tourism has been more severely impacted than any other form of tourism across the island of Ireland.  Benchmark analysis based on STR data for 10 different European countries has found that hotel occupancy rates in Dublin were 56% lower than regional hotel occupancy rates during the last week of July and second week of September 2020. This trend is also witnessed in Europe, as occupancy rates in main capital cities are on average 41% lower than their regional counterparts.

View the Fingal County Council business briefing, held on Friday 11th December with An Tánaiste Leo  Varadkar.  A comprehensive overview of the economic impact of COVID 19 and the outlook for 2021 was detailed by the Tánaiste, along with advice and information on state COVID support and BREXIT preparation assistance.

​Restaurants and cafes in Temple Bar, Dublin, have been hit with an outdoor dining ban in the run-up to Christmas, despite being permitted to put tables and chairs on the street just three months ago.

While businesses in the area around Grafton Street have been encouraged by Dublin City Council to use the street for outdoor dining, Temple Bar traders have been denied street furniture licences, despite being in a pedestrian area.

The European Union and the UK have agreed a trusted trader scheme that would mean exemptions from tariffs for up to 98% of goods flowing between Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1 January, according to RTÉ News.

The other 2% would potentially avail of rebates from any tariffs, it is understood.  Tariffs would mostly only apply if no free trade agreement is concluded between the EU and UK.

The Irish Hotels Federation has welcomed the publication of the Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform.   Tim Fenn, Chief Executive, said that the plan, if fully implemented, the plan  would hopefully address the many issues raised by the IHF.

​'We urge the Government to maintain the momentum around reform. Exaggerated and misleading insurance claims have been the scourge of many businesses, and hotels in particular. For far too long such claims have driven up costs and impacted competitiveness, which our sector can no longer afford.”

​Choice People are delighted to be have joined IFSA as one of newest members, we hope to expand on our current relationships over the coming months and hope that you will avail of our  ‘IFSA Rates’  when looking to recruit for your company… do not hesitate to call us to discuss further!

​​Trust and strong communication between clients and candidates is at the core of all of our business dealings. We empower clients and candidates with confidence and choice while building relationships.