EC ruling anti-competitive and anti-consumer : ISME
ISME has joined the growing chorus of criticism of the European Commission over its decision to penalise Ryanair 's Charleroi operation.
The business organisation argued that the ruling was further proof of bureaucrats meddling creating a anti-competitive business environment which was anti-business and anti-consumer.
ISME chairman Robert Berney said today :"This decision is another example of interference by the European Commission in the open market to the detriment of the Consumer and business, by potentially pushing up the cost of using a valuable service - air travel".
Berney also stated that business was fed up with policy and legislative interference from Brussels and that Europe's ability to attract and retain investment was being undermined.
He cited the United States as an example of a far freer market which consistently outperforms Europe, economically and in job creation.
"Unless we want to remain a Civil Service dominated Union to the detriment of Enterprise, significant changes need to be introduced both at National and European level to address our competitiveness, which is being seriously eroded ," Berney added.
ISME called on the Government to use the EU presidency to promote a free market environment and job creation by progressing the Lisbon Agenda, in particular by reducing the legislation and bureaucracy that hampers competition.
