Taoiseach Simon Harris said he listened carefully to the concerns of the business community.

He was talking to Tralee Chamber Alliance annual luncheonduring which his brother, an activist against autism, Adam Harris was also a guest speaker.

The Taoiseach said he knows from talking to businesses that margins are tight and cost bases are high.

He said he remained committed to putting in place measures to quickly address these concerns and if re-elected he would provide certainty over VAT rates by reducing the VAT rate for hotels and some others to 11% during the first 100 days of government – and that this reduction will be permanent.

Mr Harris said other business support measures will include PRSI rebates and energy grants totaling an investment of €800 million in protecting our high streets and business communities.

He also said the nitrate waiver should be maintained and he wanted farmers and businesses like Kerry Group to know it would be a priority.

The Taoiseach said the economy faces many challenges and we must be ready.

He added that this involves controlling what we can control, not relying on windfall revenues, and also being careful.

Mr. Harris told those in attendance that businesses are the backbone of our economy and that government does not create jobs, quite the contrary.

Adam Harris told the audience that everyone deserves the same opportunity and that their businesses can be strengthened by becoming autism friendly or employing autistic people.