* McCreevy's Tax Policies Praised By Irish Business Community
Following the announcement that Charlie McCreevy will leave his role as Ireland's Finance Minister to become the Republic's Commissioner in Europe, the Irish business community has been out in force to sing his praises.
Speaking to the Irish Independent earlier this week, director general of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC), Turlough O'Sullivan announced that:
"Charlie McCreevy has been one of the best ministers for finance. He has kept public finances in order and presided over substantial reductions in personal and corporate tax. He made a major contribution in improving the incentive to work, and encouraging people to engage in enterprise activity, and IBEC wishes him every success in his important new role in the EU."
Mr McCreevy was also praised by the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Assocation (ISME), the Small Firms Association, and the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the latter of which observed that:
"The way to judge any finance minister is by his Budgets, and his have generally been business-friendly or at least neutral...He has exercised fiscal prudence and kept taxes low, which is good for business. He also encouraged a lot of foreign investment."
Despite previously stating that he had no interest in the role of European Commissioner, Mr McCreevy has denied that he was forced out of the Irish government by Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.
"It was only put to me last Tuesday when the Taoiseach and I had a meeting, he put this question to me and said he was going to wait for my decision. He put me under no pressure," he explained.
