Please direct me to any good (comprehensive, authoritative, up-to-date)
reports on the costs and ease of doing business in different parts of
the United Kingdom and Ireland.  (I am considering settng up a small
business that does not need to be close to its customers, so costs
will be the main
determinant of location.) Thanks in advance.

If labour is a major component of your cost then you go where labour
is cheap and plentiful.

You may also find that property is also cheap in that same area.

The places that will shout out to you are those that offer Development
Grants to encourage you to do business there.

I wouldn't know where but start a-looking for Development Funding and
take it from there.

Irish Development Authority:
http://www.idaireland.com/home/index.asp