Dublin, 28th January: Following on from the highly successful mission to Belfast in May 2024. Dublin, Cork and Northern Ireland Chamber have come together once again, to foster deeper cooperation and connectivity. Delegations made up of business leaders and politicians from across the island of Ireland have gathered in Dublin. This initiative led by Dublin, Cork and NI Chamber will see attendees visit Dublin Port, the hub of international trade to Ireland and hear how the Port is developing its 3FM Project not only for increased trade capabilities but also in innovative ways to harness its footprint in the centre of the City to enhance the surrounding areas. The delegation will also visit Accenture’s generative AI studio “The Dock” and to An Post’s new cutting-edge HQ the Exo Building.
Speaking at the event, Dublin Chamber CEO Mary Rose Burke said “We are delighted to facilitate this two-day event here in Dublin, to showcase the vibrant business landscape and innovative companies that call Dublin home. This event, building on the success of the visit to Belfast is an example of how the business community and the Chamber Network across the Island is leading on fostering connectivity, economic growth, and we have a great ambition to strengthen ties across the regions. Our delegation, comprised of ministers, business leaders, and representatives from major transport bodies and the education sector, has engaged in open and productive discussions. We are united in our goal to advance our common interests and adopt an all-island approach to economic growth.”
Siobhan O’Shea, Dublin Chamber President: “It is testament to the work of the three chambers that we are here today at the second event of this kind. The business community in Dublin is steadfast in its belief that open economic dialogue across the island is in its best interests. We are excited to showcase the innovation of our business ecosystem here in Dublin with our colleagues in Cork and NI Chamber so we can collaborate more deeply in the years ahead.
Barry O’Connell, CEO of Dublin Port said, “We were delighted to welcome businesspeople from across the island of Ireland to Dublin Port today. With approximately €40 billion of trade passing through Dublin Port each year, we are proud to be a key part of the Irish economy. Today’s joint event with the Dublin, Cork, and Northern Ireland Chambers was a fantastic opportunity to connect with businesses that rely on the Port and to think about how we can collaboratively address the challenges of creating resilient and sustainable supply chains for the future.”
Cat McCusker, President, NI Chamber added: “At NI Chamber, we are really excited by the enormous potential of this partnership with our colleagues in Dublin and Cork. We are committed to working together to accelerate the business synergies which exist among our members and make the strongest business case possible for investment in economic game changers which will deliver shared benefits. Businesses in Northern Ireland are already leading with great ambition. Since this partnership was launched last year, we have welcomed Belfast Harbour’s transformation strategy, which will develop a vibrant economic hub for the region, as well as the opening of Grand Central Station, a multi-million-pound investment in our future connectivity. That is an addition to the many high-potential businesses investing in areas like AI and collaborating to realise the benefits of green growth. This week in Dublin, the objective is to share our own experience and crucially, develop tangible ways to drive forward prosperity and competitiveness as partners.”
NI Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, said: “This collaboration, led by Chambers of Commerce, is an excellent example of the kind of partnership which will help drive economic prosperity across the island. “Its aims of boosting connectivity, developing strong tourism links, securing investment in ports and fostering collaboration between industry and educators across the island align with my department’s own Economic Plan. It is an important, business-led initiative and we look forward to continued engagement with the group on areas of mutual potential and shared benefit.”
Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber, said: “The collective leadership of the chamber network is advancing key priorities that will shape the future of our island economy. We see significant potential to advance a more integrated approach to economic development, one that harnesses the strengths of each region and creates shared prosperity. From championing higher-speed rail between Cork, Dublin and Belfast to restoring flights between Cork and Belfast, we are focused on strengthening the connectivity that underpins business growth and regional development. By advancing discussion on the opportunities for our ports, fostering all-island innovation clusters, and enhancing tourism links, we are creating the foundations for a modern, competitive and sustainable island economy.”
Together, Dublin, NI and Cork Chambers are focused on progressing five key items:
Higher-Speed Rail Cork-Dublin-Belfast: Aiming to create a higher-speed rail link that will significantly reduce travel times and enhance regional connectivity.
Restoration of Cork-Belfast Flights: Restoring domestic flights between Belfast and Cork will enhance business and tourism links, making the island of Ireland a more attractive destination for visitors and investors.
Funding Allocation for Ports: Securing investments to future-proof the three major ports, ensuring they can support economic growth and industrial advancements.
All-Island Innovation Clusters: Promoting collaboration between industry and education to foster innovation and create competitive clusters across the island.
Enhancing Tourism Links: Developing strong tourism links by harnessing regional strengths, place branding, and evolving the story of Ireland to represent a modern island.