G2040 program

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Galway 2040 SymposiumThursday 4th & Friday 5th November

All Welcome / Fáilte Roimh Chách

Fís gan Teorainn - Fáilte

Welcome to this symposium dedicated to articulating a vison for Galway in 2040. Thisevent is the first in a series which we hope will achieve the goal of setting out a vision bythe citizens of Galway, city and county, of how they would like their city and region to be,in a generation from now. The idea is to create debate, discussion and argument aboutthe possibilities for the future.

The choice of a thirty year horizon is deliberate. It is intended to create the space tothink freely, without barriers. Think of what might be possible, what is most desirable.What do you want to preserve about Galway? What are the things you want changed?What needs to be created, invented? Think, not of the obstacles, but of the possibilities.

You will see from to-day’s programme that this is not a narrow debate. The domains orpillars for our discussion are wide ranging. That is as it should be. You will see that someseventy plus experts have put their heads together to produce these kick-off paperswhich we hope will act as catalysts to generate further discussion and debate. You willnotice too that even though we are covering a lot of ground to-day there are many sub-ject areas not yet included.

Future events will be focussed on drilling down in detail into specific subject domains.We will also create an online space to facilitate the exchange of ideas as well as engagethrough local radio and newspaper media. We need to get into the various social organ-isations and groups and hear what you have to say. We hope, over the next year, to refine the discussion and produce several major objec-tives for our city and county to achieve in the coming decades. From there to actionplans. We might be surprised at how much can be achieved in maybe ten years, nevermind thirty.

We have had enormous and enthusiastic support from our mayors, Cllr. Michael CroweMayor of Galway city and from Galway County Mayor, Cllr. Jimmy McClearn; from GMITPresident Marion Coy and NUIG President Jim Browne and from the many individualswho have put shoulder to the wheel in preparing for this event. We have also beengreatly encouraged by the very positive support of all the local media. Our sincerethanks to each and every one.

Galway 2040 Steering Team: Paul Shelly Rory O’ConnorJim Fennell Michael CoyleKevin Leyden Padraic Fogarty

www.galway2040.ie

www.galway2040.ie

Creating a Vision

For Galway

Public SymposiumGalway Mayo Institute of TechnologyFriday, 05th November, 2010

Schedule:

Time Details Presenters

9am Registration

9.15am - 9.20am Welcome and Introductions Paul Shelly, President Galway Chamber

Chairperson for the Event: David O’Connell, Group Editor, The Connacht Tribune Ltd.

9.20am - 9.30am Opening Address Michael D. Higgins T.D.

9.30am -10.45am Session 1 - Marine and Energy Mike Devane/Research /Enterprise and Terry SmithInnovation Mark Gantly

10.45am -11.15am Coffee break

11.15am -12.45pm Session 2 – Infrastructure & David Heffernan/ James O’DonnellEnvironment/ Development Brian Sheridanof Galway Docklands

12.45pm -1.30pm Lunch and Networking Fiona Monaghan

1.30pm - 2.45pmSession 3 – Tourism/ Culture Máiréad Ní Chróinín/Agriculture & Food Michael Cuddy

2.45pm - 3.15pm Coffee break

3.15pm - 4.15pmSession 4 – Education /Social Sean McDonaghInclusion Joe Cunningham

4.15pm - 5pm Conclusions Rory O’Connor

5pm Close Cllr. Michael Crowe, Mayor of Galway CityCllr. Jimmy Mcclearn, Mayor Of County Galway

The presentations on the ten topics covered in Sessions 1 to 4 will be based on position papersdeveloped over the last 6 months. There was a separate team for each topic and in all involvedabout seventy individuals. These position papers are intended to stimulate in the community,broader discourse, argument, debate to help create a Vision for Galway in 2040.

1.1 Marine & Energy

a) Context

Ireland’s Ocean Territory extends to 220million acres and encompasses a wealth ofnatural marine and energy resources. Thefuture development opportunity fromthose resources offers significant and unre-alised economic benefit for Ireland. Itmakes Ireland strategically central to thefuture development of Europe.

Galway City, located at the centre mostpoint of this valuable natural asset, ispoised to play a key national and Europeanrole in the development of the Marine andEnergy opportunities that will be exploitedover the next thirty years.

Galway has developed as a maritime city over the last millennium and has a rich cultural,economic and technology history that has resulted from an outward looking and interna-tional trading perspective. This heritage of enterprise and trade with Europe and theAmericas has transformed the city and left a legacy of strong cultural and maritime his-tory. When coupled with the strong base of Foreign Direct Investment this provides a ro-bust platform for future economic growth

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b) The Vision

By 2040, the population on the island of Ireland is predicted to reach 8 million. It is rea-sonable to assume that as the largest population centre directly on the West coast, Gal-way will benefit from that growth and can grow to 400,000 people. The Marine andEnergy sector opportunities will have a direct influence on employment in tourism, manu-facturing industry, research and education, finance and services and others.

Marine and Energy - 2040By 2040, Galway must ensure that about one third of those employed in the Gal-

way region are in private or corporate employment. Can we create a future that

will see at least one third of those employed (directly or indirectly) in the Marine

and Energy sectors based on the sustainable development of our largest natural

resource?

Creating a popular vision that has the wider community support will ensure that difficult“growth” challenges are addressed in a way that maximises economic benefit withoutcompromising any of the culture, heritage and lifestyle that is the cornerstone of GalwayCity. It is equally important to select those future opportunities that best lend themselvesto sustainable and balanced growth and blend an investment portfolio that can withstandeconomic cycles, provide higher value jobs, and support the cultural diversity that makethe city attractive to both the visitor and new professionals that will live here.

Sub-sectors considered include seafood, seaweed, marine bio-technology, hi-tech marineservices, oil & gas, bio-energy, on/off shore wind, and wave energy. Other sectors such asshipping, marine tourism and leisure and education are of equal importance are ad-dressed by other working groups. In considering the future of Galway in a Marine and En-ergy context it is necessary to include the wider Western region; including the countiesof Galway, Clare, Limerick and Mayo and of course the coastal and island communitiesthat border the significant natural asset that is the Atlantic Ocean and its coastline.

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c) The Challenges One of the key challenges for Galway over the coming years will be to put in place thenecessary infrastructure and establish a pro-business environment in relation to marineand offshore development projects. Similarly, the development of Galway’s harbour facili-ties will be essential in order to make Galway the location of choice for high value oil andgas and renewable energy organisations, and a first choice for organisations of all sizesoperating in other high value, quality niche markets. If Galway is to take advantage of thesignificant opportunities which the marine and energy sectors offer, a number of unfore-seen changes and global events will need to be managed. This will create a set of chal-lenges which will need to be addressed and can be considered under a number ofheadings as follows:

1. Investment2. Spatial Context3. Marine Coastal Community Engagement4. Aligning EU and National Policy - Galway context5. Creating a unique international brand for Galway: A Maritime City6. Infrastructural Development7. Associated Marine and Energy Enterprise Development8. Human Capital Challenge9. Sustainable use of the marine resource10. Energy Challenges

d) The OpportunitiesThe marine sub-sectors analysed including, seafood, seaweed, marine biotechnology, andmarine hi- tech services offer significant business potential for the greater Galway area.Similarly, the energy sub sectors such as onshore wind, offshore wind, wave energy, oiland gas and bioenergy also offer significant business potential which the Galway regioncan capitalise on. A profile of the potential business opportunities for Galway to 2040suggests that there is potential for strong economic growth in marine and energy relatedsectors. Given a focused approach to investment in marine and energy related sectors, asignificant portion (>30%) of the estimated 180,000 people working in private or interna-tional corporate employment could be employed in those sectors.

Participants in Marine & Energy Pillar

Mike Devane (Chair) Yvonne ShieldsMick O’Toole Colin BrownFrank Grealish Padraic FogartySteve OCúláin Peter Tyndall

www.galway2040.ie

Mike Devane

Mike Devane is a Business and Industry Consultant focused on thedevelopment of enterprise and the promotion of new ventures.Currently Mike is active in the development of a number of newventures including the evaluation, proposal development, structureand financing of these projects. His broad knowledge of the busi-ness, industry and academic infrastructure enables the brokeringand leveraging of diverse capability and the development of collabo-rative initiatives that adds strength to project proposals and busi-

ness propositions. He has a keen interest in the organization and development of newresearch and commercial opportunities that focuses on the increasing convergence oftraditional sectors including ICT, Bio-Med, Materials and Energy. His contribution to anenterprise can be either in an executive or non-executive role focused on an advisory orleadership capacity.

Mike is a member of the Board of American Chamber of Commerce and is the Chairmanof the American Chamber Research and Development Working Group. He chaired theNano-Ireland Taskforce, set up to advise the Government Sub-Committee on the strat-egy for the adoption and investment in Nano-Technology. Mike is a key contributor tochamber workgroups and has promoted the chamber R&D vision through the publication“Retuning the Growth Engine”. He currently campaigns for the development of new com-mercialization infrastructure and is active in the promotion of CSETs (Centres for Sci-ence, Engineering and Technology), as he is a former a member of the Centre forTelecommunications Value-chain Research Board. Currently he is the Chair of the DigitalEnterprise Research Institute Board.

Mike was the VP and Managing Director of Lucent Technologies International Sales withresponsibility for their trading principal and investments in Ireland until 2007. Mike joinedLucent Technologies and was VP of Supply Chain Operations in Europe until 2004. His op-erational background within the ICT and the Discrete Manufacturing sectors, include ex-perience in organization and business development and new venture startups, within bothmultinationals and small enterprises. Much of his experience has focused on the transfor-mation of enterprise, the development and expansion of new or foreign direct invest-ments (FDI), and the re-engineering of FDI including the transition and outsourcing ofmanufacturing and engineering activities and the creation of new value opportunities andcapability.

Mike has over 20 years experience in managing and leading multinational companies inIreland / Europe. Mike has both Executive Operational Management and Industry Con-sulting experience and background across multiple industries and enterprises.

www.galway2040.ie

1.2 Research

In 2040, Galway will be positioned as a world-leader in selected areas of Research that:(1) are of global significance and impact; (2) are relevant to the region; (3) are of nationalstrategic importance; (4) support and enhance innovation and economic development; (5)improve health and wellbeing; (6) develop and enhance community and social capital.

Through a coordinated approach by the primary, secondary and third level education in-stitutions, national and local government agencies, community support groups, and theenterprise sector, Galway will be the European location of choice for leading multina-tional enterprises and indigenous industries, involved in research, technology develop-ment and the commercialisation of new products, information, internationally tradedservices, medical and information technologies, as well as for the creative industries sec-tor. Galway will also be an age-friendly, socially inclusive environment and community, witha focus on lifelong health and well-being.

Opportunities exist to develop and enhance strong collaborative linkages between ourThird Level Institutes, Government and other agencies, the Galway Chamber of Com-merce and private Enterprises in the following Research areas:

• Medical Devices & Diagnostics

• Biomedical Research & Patient Care

• Renewable Energy & Energy Management

• Environment & Marine

• Creative & Cultural Industries

• Livable & Sustainable Communities

Participants in Research Pillar

Terry Smith (Chair) Nicholas Allen Orla BaxterColin Brown Lindsay Cody Gavin CollinsPatrick Collins James Cunningham Patrick DelassusPatrick Dolan Mark Johnson Lokesh JoshiKevin Leyden Patrick Lonergan Peter McHugh Vincent O’Flaherty Gearoid O’Laighin Abhay PanditTom Scharf Rod Stoneman Frank Sullivan

www.galway2040.ie

Terry Smith

Terry Smith is the Vice President for Research at NUI Galway. Inthat role, he has responsibility for coordinating and overseeing theuniversity’s research, innovation, technology transfer, and entrepre-neurship strategies.

Terry obtained a BA. Moderatorship Degree in Microbiology fromTrinity College Dublin, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree at Ox-ford University. He spent two years as a European Molecular Biol-

ogy Organisation Fellow at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in thelaboratory of 2007 Nobel Laureate in Medicine, Professor Oliver Smithies. He returnedto Ireland in 1990 to take up a Senior Research Scientist position at BioResearch Ireland’sNational Diagnostics Centre, based at NUI Galway. In 1994, he was appointed GeneralManager of the National Diagnostics Centre, a post he held until 2001. Terry was afounder member of the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) atNUI, Galway and was appointed Professor of Biomedical Engineering Science and Direc-tor of the NCBES in January 2002. He directed the NCBES until 2009, having been ap-pointed Vice President for Research in July 2008. Terry is the Director of the MolecularDiagnostics Research Group, and leads a four year multi-million Euro research collabora-tion in infectious disease diagnostics assay development and commercialisation, withBeckman Coulter. He is also the Principal Investigator in the Molecular Diagnostics pro-gramme within the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute at DCU. Terry has authored and co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers in international journals, as well as beingco-inventor of two granted patents and 12 patent applications.

www.galway2040.ie

1.3 Enterprise & Innovation

Enterprise in Galway will face significant challenges over the next 30 years:

• Scale: with a potential quadrupling of the population in the greater Galwayarea, the enterprise sector will have to scale to meet the needs of thatpopulation and fully exploit the opportunity that it present

• Enterprise culture: Enterprise must shift from the periphery to the core ofGalway – both physically and psychologically

• Connectivity: All enterprises will have significant connectivity to the outsideworld, with a marked shift towards the fast-growing economies of theEast.

• Investment: While FDI will continue to be major source of capital to drive en-terprise, the indigenous sector must make a more significant contributionto the economy. Capital to drive this sector must come primarily fromprivate investment.

• Research: To drive a successful Smart Economy we need to achieve the rightconnection between enterprise and third/ fourth level research

• Competitiveness: A highly productive, cost-competitive labour force is essen-tial whether we are looking to maintain a strong manufacturing sector orincrease the level of research conducted by major corporations in Ireland

This paper develops these and other themes, with broad policy recommenda-

tions, some of which are directed at other pillars e.g. Education. It also sug-

gests some potential winners in terms of industry segments where we

believe Galway can have a significant presence, with healthcare being the out-

standing candidate.

Participants in Enterprise & Innovation PillarMark Gantly (Chair) Gerry Kilcommins (Medtronic)Padraic Curtis (Boston Scientific) Mike Turley (DERI-NUIG)Mike Conroy (CISCO) Shay Garvey (Delta Partners)Joey Mason (Delta Partners)

www.galway2040.ie

Mark Gantly

Mark Gantly is Managing Director of HP Galway. His brief is to leadthe development of the Galway site, continuing a history of growthand renewal that now extends back almost 40 years. He also leadsone of the major R&D groups on the site. A native of Dublin, he came to Galway in 1983 and, like many be-fore and after him, found no good reason to leave. He is a graduateof Trinity College Dublin and the Irish Management Institute.

www.galway2040.ie

2.1 Infrastructure & Environment

BOUNDARY AND POPULATION

The group considered that Galway should be considered to be the metropolitan area asshown in the current County Development Plan, including the Ardaun Corridor. It is esti-mated by the group that the population of this area will be up to 400,000 by the year 2040

TRANSPORT

With such a population the provision of the GLUAS would be economically viable. Gen-erally transport would have to be upgraded substantially. The provision of the WesternCorridor Rail with frequent services would be essential. There would have to be ade-quate Park and Ride facilities on the outskirts of the city. This would allow increasedpedestrianization of the city and a good network of dedicated bus and cycle lanes.

The provision of an intercity seaplane service from the docks and ferry service to Kin-vara with a Park and Ride facility there; these measures along with an upgrading of Gal-way Airport to facilitate jets would improve access enormously.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Electrical infra structure will have to be substantially upgraded, ideally through wind tur-bines at Mutton Island and in the bay. Also wave bob technology should be harnessed asIreland is at the forefront of this technology. Sewage treatment, water, gas and communi-cations would also have to be substantially upgraded.

DOCKLANDS AND CEANNT STATION

With an estimated population of 400,000 for the greater Galway area by the year 2040,Docklands and the Ardaun Corridor provide the only real opportunity to accommodatethis significant increase in population. This opportunity must be seized upon, particularlyin the Docklands where some 70 acres of land is available for redevelopment. This areashould provide for high density mixed development, similar to Miami Quays with buildingsof 15 to 20 stories high. The mistakes made in London Docklands must not be repeatedhere. In London's case there was an initial development of low density Commercial/In-dustial sheds which had to be demolished after a relatively short time to make way forbuildings like Canary Wharf.

EXISTING AND PROPOSED AMMENITIES

Future development proposals must incorporate plans for facilities and amenities toavoid the mistakes of Knocknacarragh and Dougiska. In the docklands these should takethe form of marinas and civic spaces. In the Arduan Corridor provision would have to bemade for schools, parks, playing pitches and community provision.

www.galway2040.ie

Participants in Infrastructure & Environment PillarDavid Heffernan(Chair) Michael MooneyJames O’Donnell Peter Keavney

David Heffernan

David Heffernan qualified and practiced Architecture in MelbourneAustralia before moving to the UK. He worked for The Architec-ture Research Unit Edinburgh University for 3 years on Londonbased research into high density Local Authority housing estates.After working for several London private practices David set upHeffernan and Associates Architects in 1978 in London and eventu-ally moved the practice to Barna Galway in 1994. The practice is

dedicated to low energy consumption buildings and its 3rd place (public vote) CentrePier competition entry if built would be a net exporter of energy .The practice is theonly accredited member of EASCA (Environmental and Sustainable Construction Associ-ation)in the west of Ireland.

www.galway2040.ie

2.2 Galway Port & Dockland Development

NEW PORT PIVITOL TO FUTURE PROGRESSION OF GALWAY

The proposal to evolve Galway into a waterfront maritime hub, catering for commercialshipping traffic, the development of Galway as a centre for Ocean Energy, cruise linersand marine leisure is the fulcrum to the future of the City.

The short sighted view is not appropriate when port infrastructure is being planned. Iknow it’s obvious, but we do live on an island and 99% of all we do on this island arrivesand leaves by sea. As Ireland’s third city it is wholly proper that Galway is serviced with amodern port facility. While the promotion of the ‘softer’ values of the port have beenflagged on many occasion such as cruise liners and marine leisure it is the area of OceanEnergy that the new port of Galway will be able to accommodate the vessel types andsizes commensurate with servicing and harnessing what lies offshore Galway. Geographyhas done the work for us. We are located adjacent to the world’s highest wave energysite and utilising this energy to drive down our fossil energy requirements is fundamentalto EU policy and Government targets by 2020. The new port will be able to facilitate thissector from the R&D stage to construction and ultimately deployment of devices off-shore, Creating employment in the process. Galway in 2040 can be the world leader inocean energy technologies. Let’s get on with it!

The Port relocation allows for large swages of land for a change of use. Already, the IDAare looking for high quality waterfront sites in urban locations to attract large multina-tional companies whose employees are highly qualified and who want to live in a vibrantcity, who want to walk to work, that don’t want to own cars and want to eat, work, sleepand play where quality of life allows that to happen. The relocation of Galway’s existingcommercial traffic from the existing medieval harbour to the new port opens the doorfor such developments.

Iconic buildings. Why not! What will be the height of buildings allowed in our city in thefuture? Few see anything wrong with the Eiffel tower or the Sydney Opera house. Whynot be brave and stick our necks out? The giraffes of Limerick and Athlone are doing justthat. What is the fear of 20 stories? In 1320 when the construction of St. Nicholas Colle-giate College was commenced, it was to be the skyscraper of its time, towering over thelow level housing of Galway. St. Nicholas, the patron saint of mariners was to provide abeacon to sailors when making landfall into maritime Galway as the church spire was soconspicuous over the low rise dwellings.

“There are so many facets of the port’s plan that will be the springboard for the futureexpansion of the city said Harbour Master, Captain Brian Sheridan. We need to turnaround and face the sea and move towards the ocean’s edge creating a vista of high qual-ity functional structures, open spaces and at the same time creating a place to be proudof….our city, Galway.

Captain Brian Sheridan, HARBOUR MASTER & PILOTAGE SUPERINTENDENT

www.galway2040.ie

Participants in Port & Dockland Development Pillar

Brian Sheridan (Chair) John KilleenJim Browne Peter HeffernanMarion Coy Jim MurrenEamon Bradshaw

Captain Brian Sheridan IHMA; MNI; IIMM

Brian’s seagoing career was with the Danish shipping giant A. P.Møller which began when he joined his first LPG/C Tanker MaerskCommander November 1987. He studied at the Maritime College@ Cork; University of Ulster @ Jordanstown; John Moores Univer-sity @ Liverpool; Maritime College @ Glasgow and Warsash Mar-itime College @ Southampton. A.P. Møller being the world’s largestshipping company.

His career brought him from the rank of Deck Cadet to Master with A.P. Møller tradingon many vessel types but his expertise is in the operation of LPG Tankers. He spent 3 years as Loading Master and Sea Pilot in Point Noire, Republic du Congowhile on secondment to Maersk Contractors who are part of the A.P. Møller group. In1997 he took command of the companies largest LPG Tanker. In December 1999 he wasappointed Harbour Master & Pilotage Superintendent at Galway.

In 2000, planning for the new port of Galway commenced and this continues with plan-ning expected to be lodged with An Bord Pleanála in the 1st quarter of 2011.In 2001, Brian was appointed as Treasurer of the International Harbour Masters Associa-tion (IHMA).

In 2009, Galway Harbour was a host port in the Volvo Ocean Race resulting in a majoreconomic boost to Galway and the region. The Volvo Ocean Race Stopover at Galwayshowcased the medieval commercial harbour in a new way in the eyes of Galwegians. Brian is married to Didi and has four children.

www.galway2040.ie

3.1 Tourism

Who Will be coming to Galway in 2040 ?

Based on global population projections the future for international tourism is veryhealthy but will we be looking to our traditional source markets? With the WesternWorlds share of the population remaining static and even declining (Europe) it is likely wewill be looking to Asia as a key driver of international tourist arrivals by 2040.

By 2045 the number of older people at world level is likely to exceed the number of chil-dren for the first time – in more developed Western regions where population ageing ismore advanced the number of children dropped below that of older people in 1998. Inessence it is likely that we will still be attracting an older demographic 55+ but from awider variety of geographies with China and India likely to be key source markets by2040.

Where does Galway need to be to capitalise on international tourism by 2040?

It is our vision that Galway will have delivered product and infrastructure that ensures itis placed within the Top 10 worldwide destinations for visitors & events (ranging fromcultural to sporting to business).

The following are areas that the Tourism Pillar has discussed and debated and that will bea necessity to ensure a vibrant tourism product over the next 30 years:

Galway as a World Acclaimed Cultural Tourism Destination

• Deliver a 21st century multifunctional Performing Arts space capable of hosting eventsup to 7500 (space can also be transformed to host international conferences and busi-ness events)

• Look at the regeneration of the Woodquay Area and Fisheries Field as a Cultural Hubfor the city - this would require acquiring the current Court House along with theTown Hall site as the anchor buildings

• Invest in our key Cultural Festivals & Events to put them on the “must see” list for dis-cerning tourists e.g. Galway Arts, Cuirt International Festival of Literature

• Develop new cultural events to support our existing complement and have a yearround calendar of high profile events

Position Galway as a European Centre of Excellence for Marine Leisure

• Embracing our maritime past & interpreting it in an exciting & compelling way• Building on our unique coastal location and open up access to Lough Corrib• Develop a worldwide reputation for hosting world class international maritime events• Regeneration of Salthill to include upscale luxury retail outlets & discerning eateries

www.galway2040.ie

Position Galway as a Leading Destination for Medical Tourism

• Capitalise on our strong reputation for the production of medical devices• Leverage our position as a University town with access to leading medical research andeducation

Galway as a Destination for Service Excellence

In order to deliver of this vision in a sustainable and profitable way we need to positionGalway as a destination for Service Excellence

• Develop and deliver “The Galway Way”• Empower all front line interfacing personnel in tourism and business to be

Ambassadors for the City and Service Excellence

What will success look like in 2040 ?

• Galway to be in the Top 10 Worldwide Destinations for International Visitors• Galway to be the Best Practice Case Study for emerging destinations

Participants in Tourism Pillar:Fiona Monaghan (Chair) Brian Bourke (Gleno Abbey) John Crumlish (Galway Arts Festival) Paul Gill (Hotels Federation)

Fiona Monaghan

Head of Operations, Fáilte Ireland West Region

A native of Galway City Fiona studied at NUIG where she gradu-ated with a B.Comm and a Diploma in Marketing Practice. Shethen went on to attain a Masters of Business Studies from theMichael Smurfit Graduate School of Business at University CollegeDublin. Fiona has worked extensively in the Tourism sector for thelast 15 years in both the US and Ireland. On completion of her

MBS in 1995 Fiona took up the position of Director of Sales for North America with theDoyle Hotel Group in Washington DC and worked with the organisation through the ac-quisition of a prominent DC hotel and subsequently during the merger with Jurys Hotels.

In 1999 she relocated to New York to take up the position of Trade Promotions Managerwith Bord Fáilte. In 1992 Bord Fáilte merged with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board toform Tourism Ireland and Fiona held a number of positions with the organisation mostrecently as Manager of Strategic Planning & Advertising before returning to Ireland in2007 to take up her current position as Head of Operations West Region with Fáilte Ire-land. Fiona resides in Galway with her husband and two young sons.

www.galway2040.ie

3.2 Culture

“Creativity requires a mental state that welcomes ambiguity, doubt, confusion, ir-

rationality, anxiety, error, failure, risk, change. A mental state that sees all these as

positive qualities”

Tim Emlyn Jones, Dean, Burren College of Art

“We like to use the words 'question', 'object', 'contradict', 'challenge', 'contest', 'dis-

approve', and the like. This contradictory spirit, often considered a fault on an in-

dividual level, becomes a virtue when it is expressed collectively.”

Jean-Marie Dru, Chairman, TBWA Communications Group

“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more

important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

Albert Einstein

A Vision for Culture and the Arts …In 2040, culture and the arts will be an integrated part of the social, political and eco-nomic fabric of Galway City. Culture and the arts will be a creative force that sustains en-trepreneurship, a source of imagination and inquiry in education and scientific research,and a catalyst for civic engagement and social inclusion. Galway City will be defined by its passion for culture and the arts, and artists will havethe infrastructural, educational and financial supports to make, show and tour work thatsets international standards. The city will sustain a vibrant community of Irish and interna-tional artists, between students, young artists and established artists. In 2040, art and culture will permeate the everyday life of Galway City, disrupting thenorm and creating a contradictory public spirit that welcomes ambiguity, irrationality, fail-ure, risk and change. The public will seek out artistic and cultural experiences becausethey are live, unpredictable, spontaneous, raw, inspirational, challenging, passionate. Cul-ture and the arts will be a topic of critical debate and discussion in pubs, cafes and on thestreet.

How can we achieve this vision? Is it necessary to achieve it? What do we want to seein culture and the arts in 2040?

www.galway2040.ie

Participants in Culture Pillar

Máiréad Ní Chróinín Páraic BreathnachFidelma Mullane Ollie JenningsLelia Doolin Joe McDonagh

Máiréad Ní Chróinín

Máiréad Ní Chróinín is a theatre artist based in Galway. She is co-director of Moonfish Theatre, and has created seven productionswith the company. She has recently been selected by the ArtsCouncil as Theatre Artist in Residence at Nun's Island Theatre, Gal-way, as part of the nationwide Artist in Residence programme 2010-11.

Máiréad holds a BA in Politics and an MSc in International Politics and Human Rightsfrom the University of Glasgow. She completed a traineeship in the European Commis-sion, and has worked as a project manager and development consultant on EU fundedprojects. She currently works part-time for Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin of the Green Party.

www.galway2040.ie

3.3 Agriculture Food & Rural Development

Current situation

The Common Agricultural Policy, with its high price supports and attractive farm struc-ture improvement grants, greatly influenced the structure of agricultural production inthe Galway region. Production switched from traditional mixed farming to specialisationin beef and, to a lesser extent, sheep. This strategy gave good returns to farmers, whilethe supports were high. This situation has now changed radically. With the reduction ofsupport and increasing reliance on the market price, margins have been reduced to thepoint where a viable family income can only be realised from relatively large farms.The transformation of these agricultural commodities into food was carried out throughminimal processing, primarily for an undifferentiated export market. The extend to whichthis food reached local households was through the supermarket chains which exercisedmonopsony (few buyers) power on the processors, squeezing margins and indirectly influ-encing the prices received by farmers.

Although overall only 35% of rural residents are dependent on agriculture for their liveli-hoods, this dependence increases as the distance from Galway increases. Approximately75% of family farms are part-time, with over 50% of their income coming from off farmemployment. During the “celtic tiger”, urban based construction was the most significantsector for rural male workers; the demise of this sector has created a large pool of un-employed rural workers. Rural communities are generally weak in terms of communityservices, community employment and community action, despite significant governmentand EU funding through the LEADER programme. There is a low level of participation incommunity action, partly due to high participation in the labour market.

Drivers of change

The continuing decline in EU price subvention and direct payments (in real terms) and in-creasing liberalisation of trade and competition from imports will continue to lower theprice of the current key products, while concern for the environment and animal welfareand oil shortages will push up production costs. At the same time the large corporate re-tailers will continue source food at the lowest possible price. This market model of agri-cultural development with declining margins combined with reduced future direct EUpayments will favour larger and larger farms. However, both large scale and small-scaleproducers must find ways of increasing the value added of their produce. Small-scale pro-ducers, in particular, must find alternative products and production methods, which canyield higher value added per unit of land area and effort.

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Alternative farm products will become more viable substitutes to the more traditionalproduce, for example, energy crops, wind farms, tourist venture farms, tourist walkways.Also, farmers will be required to be guardians of the countryside, as a public good, whileat the same time exploiting it as a multi-service asset.

Galway has a large indigenous population and combined with a dynamic tourist marketprovides a significant potential local demand for locally produced food. Customers arealso becoming increasingly aware of the need for food, which is of the highest quality andwhich is disease free. Origin of food will play an increasingly critical role in food choice.

Building on the Irish tradition of local self help, a framework and a network for local de-velopment has been firmly established through the EU funded LEADER programme. In-creasing access to high-speed broadband adds to the attractiveness of rural communitiesas a living and working space. Public finances will not be available in the medium term todrive local development. This objective will increasingly depend on local entrepreneurialcapacity and the willingness of a much wider segment of the local community to engagein common purpose.

2040 Vision

Large-scale farms will produce high quality output in an efficient and environmentallyfriendly way. They will have more direct control of processing and more direct selling tothe supermarkets. They will have developed a Galway brand, which they will supply to in-ternational niche markets. Small-scale farms will produce high value added niche prod-ucts, which are of the highest quality and environmentally friendly. They will engage insmall-scale processing of milk, meat (with local abbatoirs), cereals, fruit and vegetables.They will market these products directly to consumers through farmers markets, whichwill be expanded in Galway and established in each town throughout the county. Theywill also market directly to hotels, restaurants, bread and breakfasts, public institutionsand local stores. Some producers will have established an international reputation fortheir produce and have entered the international market with their special Galway brand.

A food cluster with a Galway brand will be established, linking producers, consumers andthe tourist industry, to promote the consumption of locally produced produce. The cul-tural image of Galway will be extended in the food domain through festivals celebratingaspects of Galway food similar to the oyster festivals.

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Significant levels of energy crops will be produced and wind farms will be commonplace.Farmers, while guardians of the countryside, will be fully integrated into the tourist indus-try – farm guesthouses, tourist animal farms, integrated walkways. Vibrant rural commu-nities will be based on good planning, emphasising local service provision, qualityenvironment and inclusiveness. Local self-help will be the driving force in developing localidentity and quality of life. Although off-farm employment will continue to play a very sig-nificant role in family incomes, this will be increasingly provided by local value added cre-ation.

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Participants in Agriculture Food & Rural PillarMichael Cuddy (Chair) Professor Emeritus, NUI, GalwayPadraic Divilly IFA and FarmerBarry Donnelly IFA and FarmerBrendan Dunford Burren Life Project Maria Heneghan, TeagascMartin McGarrigle Environmental Protection AgencyMichael McMahon Department of AgricultureAnne Mitchell IFA Cathal O’Donoghue TeagascSéamus Sheridan Sheridan Cheesemongers

Michael Cuddy

Michael CuddyProfessor of Economics, Emeritus, NUI, GalwayDirector, GDSI, Galway

Professor Cuddy was Head of the Economics Department at NUI,Galway for 25 years. His areas of research include regional andrural development, agricultural policy and the economics of transi-

tion economies. He is an international consultant in development economics, primarilythrough a Galway consulting company GDSI, of which he is a Director.

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4.1 Education

To-day’s preschool children and school pupils will be in mid career in the challengingworld of 2040. Their world will be a changed one with a new economic, demographic andeducational landscape. In that world Galway will have to compete with a thousand largercities and the comparative excellence of all its educational system will be the key factorin that competition.

The 2040 Education Strand is an invitation and a challenge to the community, to parentsand young people, to the VECs, school authorities and teachers, to NUIG and GMIT toadopt a common aspiration, ambition and determination to secure the economic, socialand cultural future of the Galway region through the internationally comparative per-formance at all educational levels.

Issues to be discussed will include cognitive skills and overall mathematical achievementas a basis for future skills, the promotion of multilingualism, the international standing ofNUIG, the collaboration of NUIG, GMIT and the VEC in addressing future skills, wealthcreation and building international links, the use of ICT in education and adult profes-sional development.

Participants in Education PillarSeán Mc Donagh (chair) Jim WardBernard O’Hara Pat FottrellGay Corr

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Seán Mc Donagh

Dr Seán Mc Donagh former Director Institute if Technology Dundalkformer Lecturer in Mathematics NUIGMember National Expert Group for Future Skill Needs 1997-2007former Director Skills Initiative Unit.

In the past year he has been an invited speaker at the British Edu-cational Studies Association and The National Education Confer-

ence, Bogota, Colombia.

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4.2 Social Inclusion

The inclusion of every group in society in an initiative about designing a common futureseems very obvious. The reality is that it is all too easy to ignore the very people whoneed inclusion the most, those at the margins, physically or psychologically. This initiativeis committed to hearing all possible voices. Everyone has a say, has a voice in how theysee the future of their city, county and region.

The Social Inclusion paper will kick off our collective discussion. We will look at a visionfor Galway city and county where every individual is cherished and has a place they callhome – not just a place to live. This implies a community in active care for all its citizens.And under no circumstances will a person go hungry, for any reason.

We are looking at major demographic changes with many new people coming to ourshores, to our city and county. We need to consider how best to evolve our communityso that no group are ghettoised or excluded. We need to jealously guard one of thegreatest features of Galway – its ability to embrace and assimilate new people, to makethem feel welcome, to accept their contribution.

Education of course plays a huge role in the development of any society. We must makesure all of our people have access to education throughout their lives.

Health and associated services will be world class in the Galway of 2040. We should bedetermined that that is so. The researchers and clinicians of to-day are laying the founda-tion for a level of wellness unsurpassed in history. Galway will be recognised as a place ofwellbeing. People will live longer. It must be our vision that they live healthy, psychologi-cally and physically, fulfilled lives as well. Access to world class health care will be thenorm for all of our citizens, in the Galway of 2040.

Participants in Social Inclusion PillarJoe CunninghamRachel Doyle, National Women’s Council of Ireland

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Rachel Doyle

Rachel is a member of the Senior Management Team NWCI and is responsible for themanagement, development and implementation of the NWCI's outreach and supportprogramme to its affiliates and to the women's sector. She is also responsible for devel-oping and maintaining relationships with strategic partners.

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