An Garda Síochána has established a COVID-19 National Co-Ordination Unit operating from Garda Headquarters under Deputy Commissioner Twomey, Policing and security to co-ordinate and manage a strategic Garda response to this dynamic situation.  Click here to read the Garda statement re Covid-19.

To ensure that you get the most up to date, correct information about Covid 19 the HSE recommend checking this link regularly for any updates to the guidance being provided for the business sector in relation to Covid-19 as the situation is evolving:

Revenue has written to RGDATA outlining how it will deal with businesses experiencing cash flow or trading difficulties during the Covid-19 crisis. Click here to read the letter.

The EU Commission has adopted a Recommendation addressed to EU conformity assessment bodies to facilitate the bringing into the EU market of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable and re-usable face masks, disposable and re-usable coveralls, gloves and eyewear protection and medical devices, such as surgical masks, examination gloves and some types of gowns.

Please note that this is only a Recommendation which inspection authorities are not obliged to follow. We therefore advise you not to import large shipments of non-EU conform equipment and devices for resale on the basis of this Recommendation, however it can help with the import of equipment for staff.

The Alliance for Insurance Reform has called on teams negotiating the new programme for government to ensure insurance reform gets the priority necessary to urgently resolve the insurance crisis.

Click here for the press release.

RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley attended a business briefing with Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan yesterday. A series of questions about how employers and employees should act during the current containment stage will be responded to by the Department of Jobs. RGDATA will share this with members as soon as it becomes available.

RGDATA recently made a submisson to the Dept of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Click here to veiw the submission.

These notes are often marked as "movie money” or "prop money” and bear a strong resemblance to genuine Euro notes, but do not contain the security features. Click here for full details.

The Food Safety Authority has received a number of complaints recently regarding the labelling of beef which has been packed in-store in a number of retail outlets.  Click here to see the information which must be declared on the label.

Election 2020 has served up a massive vote for change with 25% of the electorate giving Sinn Fein their number one preference delivering a historic 37 seats for Mary Lou McDonald’s party. Fianna Fail (38 seats) and Fianna Gael (35 seats) have no time to lick their wounds as the first overtures regarding the formation of a coalition Government have begun. RGDATA will be in contact with all the parties over the next few weeks to ensure that key policy issues of concern to independent shopkeepers are included in the new Government’s plan of action.