With a General Election on the horizon, Dublin Chamber has officially launched our Election Priorities, which outline our ambitious vision to build a Dublin that works for everyone. Our priorities centre around eight essential business asks that we urge political parties to adopt and include in the next programme for government.

Our key asks are:

1. Complete the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project and the Greater Dublin Drainage Scheme by 2030.
2. Remove the Passenger Cap on Dublin Airport.
3. Commence construction on MetroLink, DART+ South West, Coastal South and North, and Luas Finglas in 2025. Complete Bus Connects in 2025.
4. Introduce a public model of childcare provision and ensure that services are matched to population centres.
5. Ensure that half of all new homes or 30,000 units are built in the Greater Dublin Area each year to meet pent-up and future demand. Zone more land for housing in Dublin’s commuter towns, served by public transport.
6. Make Dublin safer. Increase Gardaí overall numbers from 14k to 18k and invest in public spaces, lighting and cleanliness on Dublin’s streets.
7. Cut Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to 20% for unquoted actively trading SMEs.
8. Increase investment in Ireland’s sustainable energy infrastructure immediately, while increasing supports available to businesses trying to decarbonise.

Speaking at the launch, Director of Public and International Affairs, Aebhric McGibney, said, “The emphasis here is on delivery; clear milestones, deadlines and delivery of the infrastructure, housing and public services that Dublin so desperately needs. The effective functioning of the city is on a knife-edge, a critical juncture in terms of having sufficient capacity for growth in terms of public transport, water, wastewater, grid capacity, childcare and, of course, affordable housing.”

As the election approaches, Dublin Chamber will be working hard to ensure that the needs and concerns of Dublin businesses are effectively represented and understood by all candidates. We are ready to work with the next Government to ensure that the critical areas outlined in our priorities document are appropriately addressed to ensure that Dublin, the economic engine of Ireland, continues to thrive as an attractive place to live, work and do business.

Read our press release in full here.

To read our General Election Priorities document in full, see here.