RGDATA has written to Ministers Michael Noonan, Richard Bruton and Ged Nash expressing disappointment that Budget 2015 did not address the concerns of the retail trade 

Among the other winners were McCaughey's Top/Daybreak, Castleblayney who won Forecourt & Convenience Store of the Year (Category 1); Griffin's KCR Texaco/ Londis, Terenure, winner of Best Food to Go; and O'Sullivan's Topaz/Centra Innishannon, winner of the Best Use of Category Management.

The Courts Service has confirmed to RGDATA that it has noted our call for a fair margin for retailers to provide in-store court fine payment services.

Courts Service CEO Brendan Ryan responded to RGDATA's letter saying "I note the points raised by you which will be considered in the evaluation process of tenders received".

RGDATA, the representative association for the owners of independent shops, convenience stores and supermarkets today called on utility companies like ESB and Bord Gais and Local Authorities to properly reimburse retailers for providing pay as you go services in local shops.

Many local shops provide pay as you go bill payment services for utility services and local authorities. This is a very convenient service whereby people can pop into their local shop to pay a bill, pay their parking charges or toll charges. The various utility companies and the local authorities have made major cost savings by outsourcing their payment services to local retailers. However local shops cannot provide these services at a loss. This is why many local shops apply surcharges to cover the cost of providing these services.

RGDATA urges the Government to assist retailers to create 10,000 jobs by reintroducing the 4.25% Employers' PRSI rate in Budget 2015. The RGDATA Pre Budget 2015 submission also calls for specific measures to aid town centre regeneration.