Chamber hosts Minister Calleary at Budget Breakfast Briefing

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Dara Calleary was the main speaker at Mullingar Chamber of Commerce's Budget Breakfast Briefing in the Greville Arms Hotel yesterday, Wednesday, morning.

The briefing followed the unveiling of Budget 2025 by Minister for Finance Jack Chambers and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Pascal Donoghue, the previous day.

Minster Calleary, who was introduced by Chamber president James Bourke, spoke about the favourable macroeconomic conditions that currently exist in Ireland and how this allows the Government to alleviate much of the financial strain on the “squeezed middle”.

The issue of the VAT reduction for the hospitality sector was discussed with the minister stating that even in the context of a healthy budget surplus, the Government still had difficult decisions to make.

Minster Calleary also argued that the €4,000 grant for small businesses allows the retail sector, in addition to the hospitality sector, to benefit from the measures announced.

Taxation measures were discussed in detail by David Savage, Tomás Connolly and Patricia Lynskey from BDO Ireland.

The event also served as an introduction to the Mullingar business community of newly appointed Chamber of Commerce CEO Fran Aldritt.

For more information on the Mullingar Chamber of Commerce see mullingarchamber.ie or contact Lauren office@mullingarchamber.ie