Dublin Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2008

8/14/2019 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2008

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Delivering for Dublin:Connecting Business, Inuencing Decisions

Annual Report 2008


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www dublinport ie


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Dermot Breen Chairperson

Presidents Address 2

Chie Executives Report 4

Council Listing 6

Pictorial Review 2008 7

Committee Report - Knowledge Economy 8

Committee Report - Competitive Dublin 9

Committee Report - Inrastructure and Transport 10

Committee Report - Marketing and Communications 11

Committee Report - Business Development 12

Committee Report - International 13

Accounts 14

Sta Listing 16

Contents


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Margaret Sweeney President

At my inaugural speech as the new

President o the Chamber in February

2008, I said that we were at the tipping

point or the next stage o development

or Dublin city and or the country as a

whole. Little did we think then that a

ew months later, we would be tipping

over the peak o the business cycle and

down into a sharp economic slowdown.We are now aced with a new and

extremely challenging set o global and

national economic circumstances. We

need to take a collective and coordinated

response to steer the economy through

this challenging and changed world.

What we need now is smart business, smart

government and a strong social conscience.

Ultimately the country has to trade its way out o this

problem, theres no other way. There is still a market

out there or what we do and our greatest asset is

our young growing and well educated population

with a strong enterprise and entrepreneurial culture.

We need to sustain condence in business and

consumer sectors o the economy i we are to get

back to growth quickly.

There are three key pillars which I believe need to

be the ocus in order to get the economy back in the

driving seat as quickly as possible. These are:

Investment

Eciency and Cost Management, and

Competitiveness

We need to oster entrepreneurs and indigenous

business, as well as attract investment into the

country. We need to create the stimuli or the

productive side o the economy i we are to trade

ourselves out o these recessionary times.

We as business people have to switly make our

businesses leaner, more fexible, more creative and

more resilient and we are already engaged in this

process.

Even more urgently we need a courageous plan or

the rebalancing o the cost and service model o

the Public Sector. We urgently need to see a veyear plan to credibly and comprehensively address

the public sector service/cost model and scal

ramework that is suitable or this country.

Dublin Chamber is here to support you, the

members, through our core mission o Connecting

Businesses and Infuencing Decisions. The

Chamber oers its support by running the best

business networking events possible, and ensuring

that Government pays attention to the needs o

enterprise by providing the appropriate policy

context or a competitive business environment in

the Dublin City Region.

In 2008 we ocused our minds on the key areas orthe development o Dublin business developing

a knowledge economy, making Dublin more

competitive and quickly delivering quickly an

ecient and integrated transport network across

the Greater Dublin Area. We have actively engaged

with Government Ministers and Departments, local

authorities, education providers, transport agencies,

Councillors and state agencies to ensure that your

business requirements and concerns are being

addressed.

We took a leadership role in keeping the Dublin

business community abreast o developments with

Transport 21 including quarterly meetings with

the Minister or Transport, regular meetings with

Dublin City Council, submissions on Metro North,

our annual Transport 21 brieng between the key

transport agencies and our business members.

We have continued to lobby or more rapid

development o our communications networks.

Presidents Address

First Minister Ian Paisley MP MLA, Margaret Sweeney, andTaoiseach Bertie Ahern TD at the Chamber AGM Dinner.

Margaret Sweeney and EU Commissioner or the InternalMarket, Charlie McCreevy.


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The Chamber made a submission to the Department

o Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

on next generation networks (NGNs). These

networks are the cornerstone o a modern economy

and a prerequisite or Dublins uture development as

a knowledge city region. Our submission proposes

more ambitious goals or broadband and argues or a

more direct role or Government to ensure that such

targets are met.

In order to achieve a more eective cost/service

model or the public sector, we made a submission

to the Department o Environment, Heritage and

Local Government on their Green Paper on Local

Government Reorm. We highlighted the critical

need or more productive and cost eective services

in the Dublin City Region and oered conditional

support to the creation o the oce o a powerul,

accountable directly elected Mayor. The income base

o the local authorities must be broadened more

widely, to reduce their existing excessive reliance

on business as a source o revenue. Our 2009Budget submission requested that no measures

be introduced that would directly add to infation or

urther increase business costs.

As President I was delighted to welcome many

distinguished guests - rom the political arena,

sporting arena and the world o business to

Chamber events throughout the year, and also

meet with a number o distinguished guests during

our missions abroad. The year started o with an

historic event with the Taoiseach and the Right

Hon Ian Paisley showing us the opportunity now

presented to this country as a result o peace.

We had the pleasure and opportunity o meeting

with Commissioner Mc Creevy; Catherine Day,

Secretariat-General o the European Commission;

and Peter Mandelson, EU Commissioner in Brussels.

We learned rom people who push the boundaries

o what is possible, Pat Falvey and Niall Quinn. We

were entertained by entrepreneurs and Mayors,

Sir Alan Sugar and Ken Livingstone. At our many

networking events, our members got the opportunity

to hear insights rom Chris Clark, BT Ireland; Deirdre

Somers, Irish Stock Exchange; Ronald Drieduite,

Unilever Ireland; Patrick Neary, Financial Regulator;

Jim Barry, NTR; Richard Dujardin, Veolia; Mark Ryan,

Accenture; Bill Walsh, Jurys Doyle Hotel Group;Declan Collier, Dublin Airport Authority; Danny

Murray, Topaz; Sean Green, BMW; Vincent Crowley,

Independent News & Media; Eamonn Fallon, DAFT

and David Mc Redmond, TV3.

It has been my pleasure to serve as your President

and I am grateul or the trust you the members

have placed in me as the 138th President o Dublin

Chamber o Commerce. I would like to thank you

all sincerely or your support and co-operation during

my term. Once again the contribution rom each

one o you - members, the Chamber sta, Executive

Committee, Council, sponsors and committees - has

been outstanding. Your valuable participation has

ensured that we are acing into 2009 with a strong

network, solid policies and an excellent product

oering.

Thank you,

Margaret Sweeney

President

Cathal Muckian, Bank o Ireland Business Banking; Sir Alan Sugar,entrepreneur and star o The Apprentice UK; Margaret Sweeney; andBill Cullen, Glencullen Holdings and star o The Apprentice Ireland, atthe Chamber Christmas Lunch.

Margaret Sweeney and Tnaiste, Mary Coughlan TD, atthe Chamber Annual Dinner.

Margaret Sweeney presents Catherine Day,Secretary General o the European Commission,with a copy o the Chambers ExecutiveSummary o the Lisbon Treaty.


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Gina Quin Chief Executive

What a challenging year 2008 has been

or business! But with every challenge

comes an opportunity to shake up existing

practices and structures and fourish

thanks to smart and innovative thinking.

When listening to endless negative

media pieces on the global economy, it is

worth noting that it was during the Great

Depression that most millionaires weremade! The opportunities or your business

are out there.

As your Chamber, we want to ensure that we are

ully responsive to your needs. 2008 showed us

all the increasing importance o networking to oil

the wheels o business and develop new market

opportunities, and the Chambers events programme

that encouraged networking at all dierent levels and

intensity. On the infuencing side, we ocused more

and more on competitiveness and costs be it the

cost o local rates and charges, or the importanceo Dublin as a city region competing on the world

stage.

Our our immensely popular eature events were

a huge success, with guests hearing rom then

First Minister Ian Paisley and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern

TD at our AGM; Niall Quinn and Pat Falvey at our

Sporting Lunch; Ken Livingstone and Tnaiste, Mary

Coughlin TD at our Annual Dinner; and Sir Alan

Sugar at our Christmas Lunch. Our events team also

oered a series o other connecting opportunities

through Business ater Hours, Dinner in Camera,

Business Members Lunches, Business Breakasts

and Business Briengs. All o these events were

ully subscribed with over 8,000 attendees, oering

prime networking opportunities to all. As the erce

competition or business contracts continues, we

look orward to your active participation at our events

in 2009.

Throughout 2008, we pushed your issues as the

voice o Dublin business. We asked, and listened to,

each one o you about what changes need to take

place to make Dublin a better place to do business.

Based on your eedback we have continued to push

or the swit delivery o an integrated transportnetwork (including Metro North) in the Dublin

City Region without disruption to businesses; the

introduction o high quality (100mb+) broadband by

2012 to bring us on par with our competitors; and

the broadening o the tax base o local authorities

to reduce their excessive reliance on business as a

source o unding. At every stage, we emphasised

the importance o cost competitiveness to

businesses. Indeed, this is the reason we are holding

our membership ee or 2009 at last years levels

so that each one o you can avail o our improved

services at no extra cost. We have called on Central

and Local Government to adopt a similar position

and place eciency and eectiveness at the heart o

their operations.

Internationally, we have had a very proactive year.

In addition to our Brussels Business Mission that

centred on the Lisbon Treaty. We also welcomed

delegations rom Estonia, Poland, Maryland and

San Jose in the USA, Thailand, Kenya, Russia, Hong

Kong and China. Our Business Monitor with BT,

InterTradeIreland and the Northern Ireland Chamber

o Commerce assessed business condence in the

all-island economy and ound that companies across

the island remains resilient. In tough economic

times, trading on an all-island basis oers companies

a golden opportunity to expand into new markets

right on their doorstep and our Network and

Getwork programme oers SMEs the opportunity

to meet and do business with some o the islands

largest procurement organisations.

Chief Executives

Report

Margaret Sweeney, Dublin Chamber President;Minister o State, Dick Roche TD; and Gina Quin.


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In 2008, we also expanded our International Services

the Enterprise Europe Network. Through the

Enterprise Europe Network, this service provides

inormation and business contacts or SMEs

throughout Europe.

As a membership-based organisation we rely on your

time. This Chamber has a strong and respected voice

because o your involvement. We speak on behal

o businesses and look to provide clear opportunity

or business development and deepening o your

customer relationships.

The Chamber team and I would like to thank you

sincerely or getting involved throughout 2008. We

strongly urge you to stay in touch with us in 2009

through our events, briengs or simply by telephone

or visiting our oces. We always want to hear your

views and are committed to working with you to

improve the business environment in 2009.

I would also like to thank members o Council,

Executive, committee members and our sponsors

or your invaluable involvement and support over the

past twelve months.

Gina Quin

Chie Executive

Brian Goggin, CEO, Bank o Ireland; Paul S Quinn, Buchanan Ingersoll; GinaQuin, winner o UCD Smurft School o Businesss outstanding alumnus othe year award; and Paul Haran, CEO, UCD Smurft School o Business.

Gina Quin; Minister or Environment, Heritage andLocal Government, John Gormley TD; and KenLivingstone, frst Mayor o London.

Gina Quin; Declan Lawler, Area Director or Dublin, AIB; Lord Mayor o Dublin,Cllr Eibhlin Byrne.


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Pictorial Review 2008

Business Ater Hours at Bank o Ireland, these events are always agreat opportunity or SME members to network.

Dublin Chambers Summer Networking Lunch: Margaret Sweeney,Dublin Chamber President; Niall Quinn, Chairman o SunderlandFootball Club; Pat Falvey, Irish adventurer and explorer; Gina Quin,Dublin Chamber Chie Executive.

Beore the opening o the frst Tianys store in Ireland, Jim Quinn(let), President o Tiany & Co., talks with PJ Timmins, DublinChamber Vice-President, at corporate member welcoming event.

Dublin Chambers new Networking Lunch gave members theopportunity to speed network their way through lunch.

Declan Collier, CEO o Dublin Airport Authority, and CharlesButterworth, CEO o Vodaone Ireland. Both CEOs addressedChambers members as part o the Business Breakast series.

Dublin Chambers Annual Transport 21Briefng speakers included Pat Mangan,Assistant Secretary in the Department oTransport; Frank Allen, Chie Executiveo the Railway Procurement Agency; DonCunningham, Director o New Works withIarnrd ireann; Paddy Doherty, BusinessDevelopment Manager in Dublin Bus; FredBarry, Chie Executive o the National RoadsAuthority; and, Tim Brick, Executive Manager(Engineering) with Dublin City Council.


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Martin Murphy Chairperson

Dublin Chamber has brought orward a

vision and an action plan to transorm

Dublin into an international Knowledge City

Region. At the beginning o this year, we

launched Developing A Knowledge City

Region: A ten step plan. This report was

ocused on our areas which the Chamber

believes would set the oundation or a

Dublin Knowledge City Region by 2012.These areas o ocus were upgrading

the knowledge inrastructure, building

a learning society, bring SMEs into the

knowledge economy, and the promotion

o Dublins arrival as a knowledge capital.

The Committee drilled down over the

past year into each o these our areas.

We believe that Irelands knowledge inrastructure

needs to set its sights higher than EU averages

in its benchmarks. This year, we presented to

the Minister or Communications on the quickly

growing broadband needs o business. While

we were pleased to note that a number o our

recommendations have been taken on board in

his drat strategy, we emphasised that we were

sceptical that present policy direction will make

businesses more internationally competitive.

In addition to our physical inrastructure, it is

important that our Knowledge Workorce is

world-class. Ireland needs to invest in its uture

workers i we are to continue to be an attractive

location or international businesses. Thereore, the

committee spoke out about the issue o ICT in our

schools. We emphasised the need or this issue not

to be allowed to all between the departmental gaps,

so that our economy and our children can be allowed

to grow to their ull potential.

The Committee also ocused on developing the

proper environment or businesses or knowledge

entrepreneurs. We believe that through changes in

the treatment o Intellectual Property (IP) that such

an entrepreneurial environment can be acilitated.

Our general principles in need o change were

presented in the Chambers Pre-Budget Submission,

which ocused on tax rates, tax treatment, R&D tax

credit and double taxation agreements.

Our work to promote the arrival o Dublin as

knowledge capital ocused this year on supportingDublins bid to host the EuroScience Open Forum

in 2012. This bid was a success! This event will

oer Dublin the opportunity to demonstrate our

development in the area o science. The Chamber

will continue to work with the Chie Science Advisor

to ensure that we maximise the potential o this

event.

In addition to this work, we will also monitor

developments and continue to infuence key policy

stakeholders to ensure delivery o the Chambers ten

step plan.

I would like to thank all the members o the

Committee or their valued contribution, which has

benetted all Chamber members.

Martin Murphy

Chairperson

Committee Report:

Knowledge Economy

At the launch o Developing a Knowledge City Region: A ten step plan, MartinMurphy, Chair o the Chambers Knowledge Economy Committee.


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Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chie Executive; Minister orEnvironment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley TD;Margaret Sweeney, Dublin Chamber President; Imelda Reynolds,

Chair o the Chambers Competitive Dublin Committee.

Throughout 2008, businesses have aced

many challenges in their operational and

economic environment. Responding

to the needs o our members, the

Competitive Dublin committee has

ocused its attention on ensuring that

businesses, Government, state agencies,

local authorities and education providers

have a clearer understanding o whatassets the Dublin City Region has to

oer international investors and domestic

businesses. Having this knowledge also

helps us identiy the areas in which we

need to improve in order to successully

compete with competitor city regions

internationally.

Competitiveness is a very broad concept and

covers every policy area (transport inrastructure,

education, productivity levels, quality o lie, the

environment etc.). To ensure the work o the

committee was channelled eectively, we ocused

on two principal streams in 2008:

Governance o the Dublin City Region; and

Benchmarking Dublins Competitiveness.

The issue o governance o the Dublin City Region

was high on our agenda as the Department o

Environment, Heritage and Local Government

produced a Green Paper on Local Government

Reorm in 2008 which outlined the proposal or a

Mayor or Dublin. The committee made a written

response to the Green Paper re-enorcing the

Chambers message that:

The nancing o local authorities needs to be

reviewed in order to reduce the burden on the

business community as one o the primary

sources o unding or local authorities; and

The need to improve the management

structure o the Dublin City Region to increase

accountability and responsibility or delivery o

services, the identication o eciencies and cost

savings, and having a single, accountable person

responsible or championing the city region.

The committee ollowed this submission with

a letter to the Manager o Dublin City Council

highlighting the importance o cost competitiveness

or businesses. We strongly urged the City Council

not to increase commercial rates or water charges in

2009, as increasing these will negatively impact on

jobs and investment during these challenging times.

Regrettably, commercial rates were increased

by 3.3%. However, we will continue to pursue our

agenda to stop businesses being used as a nancial

crutch by local authorities.

In 2008 we also called on Central Government

to broaden the tax base o local authorities. The

levy on second homes and investment properties

announced in Budget 2009 is a positive step but it

is only the beginning. Central Government needs to

do more and should immediately remove the rates

exemption or state occupied buildings. This would

raise another E30m or Dublin City Council alone.

The other stream o work undertaken by the

committee in 2008 was benchmarking Dublins

competitive position against our international

competitors. Many organisations are carrying out

research on competitiveness, so our rst step was

to actively engaged with stakeholders including

Foras and Dublin City Council - to make ourselves

and others aware o the body o work that already

exists or which is currently underway.

The committee is analysing the indicators that have

been selected by the above bodies, and also the

city regions that have been selected to compare

Dublin against. We are eeding back into the process

through surveys and making recommendations on

the eectiveness o these selections so that the

ndings coming out o the research are relevant and

can be utilized to improve our competitiveness.

The committee has worked tirelessly on your behal

throughout 2008 to promote the Dublin City Region

as an attractive and competitive location. I would

like to extend a special thank you each member o

the committee or their energy, commitment and

contribution over the past year.

Imelda Reynolds

Chairperson

Imelda Reynolds Chairperson

Committee Report:

Competitive Dublin


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2008 was a busy year or the

Inrastructure and Transport Committee

with many key Transport 21 projects

coming on stream (the Parkwest and

Clondalkin railway stations were opened)

and others in construction (M50, LUAS

lines, the Macken Street Bridge, Terminal

2 at the airport and Irish Rail projects).

The most important development wasthe RPAs application or a Railway Order

or the Metro North project. Several

studies are underway, including Indecons

Strategic Review o Dublin Port and

its Future, while others, including an

assessment o the eciency o Dublin

Bus, have been completed.

Addressing our transport inrastructure decit has

long been identied as a key issue or the members

o Dublin Chamber. The Dublin City Region has a

chronic transport problem that aects our uture

viability as a world class, competitive and attractivelocation or jobs and investment. Three years ago,

Dublin Chamber welcomed the announcement o

Transport 21, but raised concerns about whether

such an ambitious programme would be delivered.

Delivery, Delivery, Delivery! was our cry. Now that

much o the programme is underway, its all about

capacity and integrated solutions. Commuters and

shoppers need real alternatives or getting around

and into the city. We need better roads around the

city and a more requent, reliable and aordable rail

and bus service.

So in 2008, the Committee ocused its attention

on ensuring that Transport 21 projects will beimplemented in the City Region in an eective way

that results in minimal disruption to businesses

across the city. We want the construction phases or

the Metro, the DART Interconnector and the Luas

BX/D line to be as short as possible and certainly not

eight years as has been suggested. This will require

that specic mitigation measures are put in place

to address the concerns o business; that trac

management is agreed in broad principle with the

Dublin business community; and most importantly,

that all city centre car parks are kept open.

The key message is that Dublin must remain

open or business. We have comprehensivelycommunicated our concerns to the Minister or

Transport, the transport agencies, Dublin City

Council, an Garda Sochna and the Joint Oireachtas

Committee on Transport on numerous occasions and

at very many orums throughout 2008.

On the third anniversary o the Transport 21 project

we hosted our annual breakast brieng where

the panel rom the transport agencies presentedprogress achieved in 2008 and plans or 2009. We

were pleased to hear rom Pat Mangan, Assistant

Secretary in the Department o Transport, that

although Government is working within a tighter

budget in 2009, they had prioritised the building o

greater capacity in public transport over the coming

year with a budget o E2,375 million.

However, the Committee is not at all happy with the

lack o progress in establishing the Dublin Transport

Authority, not least because the enabling legislation

has already been enacted. We need a properly

unded, powerul DTA to coordinate all the projects

planned in the Greater Dublin Area (in particulartrac management); to drive the introduction o

an Integrated Ticketing System; and to dene the

City Regions long-term transport strategy. As the

Department o Finance has approved a headcount,

we have urged the Minister o Transport to appoint

an interim Board and an acting Chairman/CEO

so that the DTA can become operational, as was

promised, in January 2009. Postponing the setting

up o the DTA until late 2009 makes no sense

whatsoever.

The biggest challenge acing the Dublin business

community or the oreseeable uture will be

managing the pain as construction on the majorlight rail/rail projects get underway. We accept the

principle that many parts o the city will become

pedestrianised and/or public transport only during

and on completion o Metro North. However, we

shall continue to insist that all shoppers who wish

to travel by car continue to be able to access all city

centre car parks, the 200,000 sta that commute to

work in the city centre are ully accommodated, and

that each business in the city has ull access to their

building or their deliveries, clients and customers.

I would like to pay special thanks to each Committee

member or their valuable contributions and

participation throughout 2008. In addition, I would

like to thank all the public servants who have been

most generous with their time in working with us

throughout the year.

Peter Brennan

Chairperson

Peter Brennan Chairperson

Committee Report:

Infrastructure and Transport

Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chie Executive; Minister orTransport, Noel Dempsey TD; Peter Brennan, Chair o theChambers Transport & Inrastructure Committee; andAebhric McGibney, Dublin Chamber Director o Policy.


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Dublin Chamber represents the Dublin

business community, and speaks out or

it. Over the course o 2008, the Marketing

& Communication Committee has helped

to ensure that voice o Dublin business

was loud and clear.

Our 2008 Communications Strategys objectiveswere to increase the strength o our voice on

policy issues, recognition o the Chamber amongst

non-members, and knowledge o the Chambers

oerings to existing members.

The rst o these objectives was achieved through

a ocus on ve key policy issues T21 projects in

Dublin, local government reorm, Dublins transport

system, broadband, and the Lisbon Treaty. However,

as the recession loomed over the second hal o the

year, the Chamber quickly amended its strategy to

address the new business environment. We spoke

out on the core business issues, such as consumer

condence and public sector costs.

The Chamber delivered on this strategy, which

ensured your voice was heard during economic

tectonic shits o 2008. During this period, the

Chamber increased media coverage by 40 per cent

compared to the previous year. In addition, the

Committee reviewed and recommended ways in

which the Chamber could strengthen its relations

with key stakeholders, including Ministers, local TDs,

key Civil Servants, Local Government, media, and

Chamber Members. Through working with these

infuencers your voice has been turned to action, as

was seen in changes to the Finance Bill.

The Committee has also contributed to the

longer term approach o the Chamber to our

communications. It examined how the Chamber

could convert non-members to new members

through this increased media and marketing

coverage. This contribution will be articulated in the

Chambers new strategy in early 2009.

In 2009, the Chamber will also be launching a new

extra-net site or members. This site will make it

quicker and easier or members to interact with the

Chamber. Whether you are registering or events,

updating your companys inormation, or just

browsing around the document centre this secure

site will oer 24 hour personalised user experience

with instant conrmation o all your requests.

The Committee has undertaken to change the

way the Chamber is seen and heard, by both you

and external stakeholders. I would like to thank

each o the members o the Committee or their

commitment and support during a very busy year or

the Marketing & Communication Committee.

Dermot Breen

Chairperson


Committee Report:

Marketing and Communications


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Greg Clarke Chairperson

In 2008 the Business Development

Committee examined the needs o Dublin

Chamber members and ocused on

adding value to membership. The main

areas the Committee concentrated on

were sales, new methods o payment

or members and adding more value to

sponsors.

In order to remain dynamic and eective, a top

priority or the Business Development committee

was to advise on how to add greater value to

businesses that support the Chamber in terms o

sponsorship. The supporting companies opposite

are testament to the Dublin Chambers strong

active membership. These companies continue to

prole their brands through our high level events

programme.

The Committee also worked to devise a sales and

retention plan which would look closely at member

needs and produce extra eciencies in current

services. The sales department was expanded

early in 2008 to grow the membership to ensure

continued diversity and more opportunities or

networking! Our orthcoming online system and

members-only extranet will give businesses new

ways to interact and allow online booking or

our events programme, room-hire services and

international trade series.

In keeping with our online strategy in 2008 Dublin

Chamber also went live with a acility to allow

exporters to process their EC Certicates o origin

on-line. This system will deliver signicant savings in

both time and money or export customers.

The Dublin Chamber would like to thank the

Committee members Niall Feely o eircom, John

McGrane, David McArdle, Paula Brady o Ulster Bank

and Derry Gray o BDO Simpson.

A big thank you to the ollowing sponsors or

supporting us in 2008!

Greg Clarke

Chairperson

Committee Report:

Business Development

Business Banking

Irish Blood

Transfusion ServiceSeirbhs Fuilaistrichin na hireann


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Pat Maher Chairperson

Working with International Chambers o

Commerce, embassies and other business

organisations both worldwide and locally the

International Department oers members

valuable and unique opportunities to access

a global network to expand and develop

their business.

Highlights o 2008 included a high-level BusinessMission in April to Brussels, involving a busy

programme o inormation and networking events

including meetings with Secretary-General o

the European Commission, Catherine Day and

Commissioner Charlie McCreevy. Missions oer

participants an eective and ecient way o identiying

new international business opportunities and acquiring

knowledge and connections critical to success.

Incoming delegations included meetings with Consular

representatives rom Britain, Kenya, Bulgaria, Thailand,

Malaysia, Norway, Canada and India to name but a

ew. This year we had the pleasure o welcoming

the President o Estonia on his state visit to Ireland

in conjunction to hosting a business event or the

delegation. Such meetings and events oer an ideal

orum or the exchange o ideas and contacts which

aim to develop long term business relationship.

As partners in the Hong Kong Business Forum and

the Ireland India Business Association, we organised

a number o key events including the launch o the

Ireland India Business Association and the Chinese

New Year Luncheon.

The International programme also encompasses events

which ocus on providing members with relevantinormation on chosen markets worldwide. One such

event was organised on the occasion o the visit by a

delegation rom our Sister City, San Jos, Caliornia.

Designed to engage business, policy makers and

decision makers, this seminar debated the importance

o promoting Dublin as a location or Foreign Direct

Investment to secure Irelands competitiveness. A

key event o 2008 was the Embassy Networking

Evening hosted by the Department o Foreign Aairs

in conjunction with the International Department.

Welcomed by the Minister or Foreign Aairs, Michel

Martin TD, Irish business leaders were oered a unique

networking opportunity with Embassy ocials rom

around the world.

Each year we look at how we can expand and improve

the services o the International Department. To urther

assist businesses, we now oer an extended support

programme to business. In partnership with Enterprise

Ireland and other leading Chambers, the Dublin

Chamber recently launched the Enterprise Europe

Network. Established by the European Commission,

the network aims to address the business needs o

SMEs.

Also launched in 2008 was a new phase o the

Network and Getwork Programme in collaborationwith InterTradeIreland, Northern Ireland Chamber o

Commerce and leading chambers around the country to

acilitate trade across the whole island o Ireland. This is

an exciting chance or SMEs to expand their business.

Both the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and

Network and Getwork oer companies a chance to

quickly nd new business partnerships, innovative new

solutions and increase trade.

Finally, I would personally like to thank the members o

the committee who volunteered their time and energy

during 2008.

Pat Maher

Chairperson

Committee Report:

International

Tim Kaine, U.S. Governor o Virginiaand recently appointed Chairmano Democratic National Committee,addresses attendees o aninternational department briefng.

Brussels Business Mission delegation meets with EUCommissioner or Internal Market, Charlie McCreevy.


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Accounts

Consolidated Income and Expenditure Account

Year Ended 31 October 2008


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Dermot Breen ChairpersonConsolidated Balance Sheet

Year Ended 31 October 2008


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Peter Brennan Chairperson

Staff Listing

Gina Quin

Chief Executive

Aebhric McGibney

Director of Policy andCommunications

Linda McNulty

International and SpecialProjects Manager

Richard Brown

Export Services Manager

Sandra Farrell

PA to Chief Executive

Patrick King

Policy and CommunicationsManager

Sam Bowman

Project Facilitator - Network& Getwork Programme

Ruth Spain

Export Services Executive

Ruth Edwards

Receiptionist/Administratrion

Catherine McCabe

Policy and CommunicationsExecutive

Cora Paerott

Enterprise EuropeNetwork Executive

Michelle Berry

Finance Manager

Jean Hoey

Director of BusinessDevelopment

Ciara Duncan

Events Manager

Joanne Doran

Finance Assistant

Aideen Ryan

Membership DevelopmentManager

Marie Walsh

Events Executive

Kay Gibbons

Credit Controller

Donal Milton

Membership Development

Bernadette Carton

Housekeeper


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Dublin Chamber of Commerce

7 Clare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.

T +353 (0)1 644 7200

F +353 (0)1 676 6043

W www.dublinchamber.ie

E [email protected]

Dublin Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2008

Documents