Published: Thu, 22 May 2025
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“The EU Single Market is one of Europe’s greatest achievements — but we’re still not using it to its full potential,” declared Sean Kelly, MEP for Ireland South and Leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament, as he called for urgent action to break down remaining internal trade barriers.
“Too many Irish businesses are still hitting walls when they try to expand across borders. That’s not just frustrating — it’s a missed opportunity for growth, innovation and jobs,” Kelly said.
Welcoming this week’s publication of the European Commission’s Single Market strategy as “a step in the right direction,” Kelly cautioned that the proposals must go further. “We need to cut red tape, simplify outdated rules, and finally make digital systems work together across the Union.”
“We’re still dealing with 27 versions of the same process. That’s not a single market — that’s a patchwork,” Kelly warned. “If we want to compete globally, we need to act like one market, not 27.”
The new Commission plan includes moves to standardise packaging requirements and streamline product documentation. But for Kelly, the focus must be on meaningful simplification for businesses of all sizes. “Irish SMEs and service providers have so much to offer — but they’re spending time and money navigating unnecessary paperwork. That needs to stop.”
He also highlighted the importance of embracing digital tools: “Faster approvals, clearer rules, digital product passports — these are the practical steps that will help our businesses scale.”
Kelly emphasised that unlocking the full potential of the Single Market is not just a Brussels concern: “A simpler, smarter Single Market means more jobs in Ireland, more exports from Irish firms, and a real boost for rural regions.”
“This is about real results,” he concluded. “It’s time we made the Single Market work the way it was always meant to — seamless, modern, and built for opportunity.”
