Complete the RGDATA crime survey now and tell us if your businesses was impacted by juvenile crime that was not followed up by the Gardai. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has apologised for Garda failure to prosecute thousands of juvenile crimes. RGDATA intends to follow up on this issue with Commissioner Harris.

Click here to read the media reports. Click here to do the five minute survey.

The Low Pay Commission is preparing it's report on the National Minimum Wage 2020. RGDATA is making a submission and we are inviting members to comment by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Click here if you wish to make your own submission.

Click here for our short survey

RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley told Minister Heather Humphreys that managing cost for independent retailers was key in the run up to Brexit. “Whether there is a deal or no deal, it is vital that Government focus on influencing business competitiveness. We are still awaiting practical Government action to reduce insurance premiums. Also there is absolutely no need for increasing the cost of employing staff in the grocery trade,” Buckley told the Minister at the latest Brexit Forum meeting.

Ahead of the two biggest shopping weekends of the year, IFA President Joe Healy has warned retailers against discounting fresh produce in the run-up to Christmas.  Click here for the press release.

Negotiations regarding the draft EU Business to Business UTP Directive in the Food Supply Chain will resume tomorrow (Wednesday 19 December) as the Commission and the MEPs continue to wrangle over the scope of the Directive.

Originally, the Directive was to apply to protect companies with a maximum €50 million turnover. Parliament wanted to apply it to companies with a turnover up to €1.25 billion.  Tomorrow’s negotiations are expected to focus on bringing that figure to companies with a turnover of up to €250 - €300 million or less.

There are three statutory Public Holidays during the Christmas period.

Christmas Day, Tueday 25 December, 2018
St. Stephens Day, Wednesday 26 December, 2018
New Year's Day, Tuesday 1 January, 2019

Entitlement to benefit from these public holidays is governed by the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.  All full-time employees are automatically entitled to the public holiday benefits and all part time employees, who have worked at least 40 hours in the five weeks ending on the day before the public holiday are also entitled to benefit for the public holiday.  Click here for more information.

The Minimum Wage in Ireland will be increased from January 1st 2019. It will rise by 25 cent per hour, from €9.55 to €9.80.  Click here for details

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D., anounced that the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will commence in the first week of March 2019 once enacted. Click here to read the press release.

The Alliance for Insurance Reform, of which RGDATA is a member, welcomes the Amendment of Section 8 of the Civil Liability Act 2004.  The amendment reduces the period for reporting personal injury accidents to 1 month. This will bring an end to a loophole which has seen many businesses lack vital CCTV evidence for defending claims.
The Bill will also provide a much-needed claims database but the Alliance is disappointed that control of the database will sit with the Central Bank and not the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB).
The Alliance for Insurance Reform, of which RGDATA is a member, welcomes the Amendment of Section 8 of the Civil Liability Act 2004.  The amendment reduces the period for reporting personal injury accidents to 1 month. This will bring an end to a loophole which has seen many businesses lack vital CCTV evidence for defending claims.
The Bill will also provide a much-needed claims database but the Alliance is disappointed that control of the database will sit with the Central Bank and not the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB).