The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, TD has today welcomed a decision by ministers meeting in Luxembourg to cut red tape for exporters and simplify the rules governing customs operations across Europe.

"This decision by the Council of Ministers is very significant for Irish companies which export to other EU markets and moves us closer to the day when firms will be able to conduct ‘paperless trade’ within the Union," he said.

The new set of rules (the Community Customs Code) means that Irish exporters will no longer have to engage customs agents in the country they are exporting to. The new code is expected to become law by early next year.

Micheál Martin who attended the meeting  in Luxembourg said this is a very important move. 64% of Irish exports are to the EU and the move will bring immediate benefits and cut costs for Irish exporters.

In addition to modernising the 15 year old customs code, the EU has also agreed to establish a paper free electronic environment for customs within the EU. This will also help companies increase their competitiveness by reducing compliance costs. EU member States are now required to develop compatible IT systems, provide for exchanges of information and enable EU-wide electronic risk analysis.

"As a Government we are determined to reduce the burden of red tape for Irish firms both at national and EU level. The reduction of the cost of bureaucracy was one of the key recommendations of the Small Business Forum and it is important that it is acted upon."

"In Budget 2007 we took steps at national level to reduce the burden on companies in terms of dealings with the Revenue Commissioners, now we have taken another concrete step towards further reducing the burden at EU level. This is a move that will cut costs and will help safeguard Irish jobs", concluded Martin.