The “Sub-national Doing Business in Ireland” report released by the World Bank examined the business regulatory environment and its impact on local entrepreneurs in five Irish cities (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford) across five areas relevant to the lifecycle of small and medium-sized businesses: starting a business; dealing with construction permits; getting electricity; registering property; and enforcing contracts. Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, welcomed the launch of this report by stating its contribution towards improving regulatory environment for businesses at the regional and local level and how regions can learn from each other and put in place more efficient and productive practices to improve Ireland’s overall competitiveness.