The National Recovery Plan was designed to create a stronger economic environment by protecting existing profitability and investing in areas of potential growth.
• Irish businesses and foreign investors benefited by corporation tax being kept at a low rate of 12.5%.
• The environment benefited from a reduction in waste and energy costs and the introduction of water charges.
• Entrepreneurs were encouraged by investment in enterprise and innovation.
• The country benefited as a whole as the combined measures meant Ireland exited the recession.
EVALUATING THE NATIONAL RECOVERY PLAN
Different stakeholders will have different opinions on whether a government policy is positive or negative.
It is clear that the National Recovery Plan represented a cost to some and a benefit to others. When the government unveiled the policy, many complained that some of the people who suffered were the poorest in society, while many of the benefits would be felt by the wealthy.
