Ibec calls for more autonomy in reopening road map

​The chief executive of Ibec has told the Government it is vital that the next road map to reopening the economy is less prescriptive in nature than previously.

In a letter to the Taoiseach and other ministers, Danny McCoy said businesses welcomed that Government is publishing a revised road map to reflect the progress made in vaccination the public.

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​But he added that with nearly nine out of ten adults now fully vaccinated, it is time that greater personal responsibility for individuals, and autonomy for businesses in their office operations, forms the core of the approach in the next phase of Covid.

"Specifically it must provide the autonomy for all businesses to reopen fully in a safe and phased way," Mr McCoy wrote.

The Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 is due to meet on Friday to consider plans for the next phase of reopening, with the road map set to be announced following a full meeting of the Government next Tuesday.

Mr McCoy said a return to the office is a key priority for many Ibec members and that businesses had been frustrated in recent months at the need to revise their plans to bring staff back into offices on numerous occasions.

"The new road map must enable businesses to finally plan with certainty for a phased and safe return to office over the coming weeks and months," he told Micheál Martin.

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