This month, Dublin’s business community gathered in the Convention Centre to hear from speakers such as Minister McGrath TD, as well as Rosheen McGuckian and Cathy Bryce. Also speaking at this event was Dublin Chamber President Stephen O’ Leary, as well as Dublin Chamber CEO, Mary Rose Burke. Stephen O’ Leary outlined several points to be considered, ranging from entrepreneurial challenges and concerns about housing and economic infrastructure to an audience including Minister for Finance, Micheal McGrath, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Pascal Donohue; and Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage Darragh O’ Brien. ‘Growing Pains’ were a prominent feature of President Stephen O’ Leary on the night, relating to four aspects of Dublin that must be improved.

• Housing supply is simply not adequate enough to meet demand, and increased efforts must be made to accelerate brownfield development. Redeveloping old sites can serve to provide higher density living in the city without risking urban sprawl.
• Better public transport is needed to meet the needs of those commuting. Additionally, more effective public transport such as Metro, Dart +, Bus Connects etc. can provide a means for more sustainable growth.
• The legislation regarding water supply for the Greater Dublin Area is too slow and will not be able to cope with increased demand given the growth in population in the region.
• The final growing pain concerned energy in Ireland, split into sperate issues. The first being capacity, with an antiquated grid system not able to meet population growth needs. Additional pains are felt by not enabling offshore wind and hydrogen projects.

Finally, President Stephen O’ Leary called government to act, explaining why now is as good a time as any to reward enterprise and risk takers. President O’Leary called for Government to cut the CGT tax rate to 20% for indigenous, unquoted firms amid rising interest rates, impacting the availability and affordability of credit. The speech can be read in full here. The Minister of Finance’s address can be read here.

Mary Rose Burke spoke to the theme of Global Ambition, calling on businesses and government to be bold amid high levels of global competitiveness, while calling on government to consider what Ireland will be known for in the decades to come. Mary Rose equally advocated for unfettered growth potential for international connectivity assets.