dublin chamber newsletter | january 2010

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Dear Fellow Member,

The last year has been a challengingyear for businesses in every sector; ayear where the greatest pain has beenshouldered by those who have losttheir jobs and their business.Companies have sought to adaptswiftly to this new businessenvironment, by cutting costs andfocusing on becoming leaner, fitterand smarter. The good news is thatour economy is becoming morecompetitive and better prepared for apositive future as a result.

AchievementsIn 2009, the Chamber sought to helpcompanies adapt to this new environment byproviding more opportunities for businessdevelopment and by firmly putting theenterprise agenda to Government. As

Government sets the tone of confidence inthe country, we called on them to recognisethe damage being done to businesses rightacross the country and bring forwardinitiatives that would both protect jobs andfirms, and stimulate confidence and generatewealth. Some of our key achievements whichwe secured on your behalf in 2009 include:1. We sought and gained a commitment from

Government departments to pay alltheir bills to suppliers within 15 days of their invoicing;

2. The proposal for a 24/7 bus gate atCollege Green was abandoned in favour of

public transport priority access duringmorning and evening peak times, Mondayto Friday, only;

3. We successfully campaigned for a yes votefor the second Lisbon referendum; and,

4. On foot of the recommendations outlinedin our 2010 Budget submission:

(a) Excise duty on beer, cider, spirits and winewas reduced;

(b) Public sector wages were reduced, and anew pension scheme for all new publicservants was introduced; and

(c) Government reconfirmed its commitmentto public transport projects (Metro Northand the Dart Underground).

(d) The Government also signalled thebroadening of the tax base of localgovernment beyond business rates whilenot increasing personal or corporatetax rates.

Overall, the Chamber was pleased to notethe balance of spending cuts and taxincreases in Budget 2010, and will continueto lobby on your behalf to seek more detailfrom Government as to how it will balance itsbooks by 2014.

Your VoiceThe feedback that we received through ourmember surveys during the course of theyear clearly highlighted that reducing costs isthe primary concern of business.

At a national level, our Budget submissioncalled for a Bord Snip for local government

to identify and cut the waste and duplicationthat occurs at local level. This request hasbeen answered, and in mid-2010 a reporton the efficiency of local authorities willbe delivered.

At a local level, we have run an aggressivecampaign directed at Dublin TDs, Councillorsand local officials to cut commercial rates.Our campaign to cut commercial rates hasbeen successful across the four localauthorities in Dublin with cuts of betweentwo and five per cent.

Meeting the Challenge

Over the course of 2009, Dublin Chambersignificantly ramped up the volume of services to help members respond to thesechallenging times. With a great team here atthe Chamber, and the help of our sponsorsthroughout the year, we have continued toimprove our events, deliver more businessinformation and strengthen our position asthe voice of Dublin business.

Attendance at Chamber functions was atrecord levels in 2009, increasing by 25 percent with 10,000 attendees at the 100

Chamber events held. Members heard from arange of prominent political and business

speakers at our feature events including AnTaoiseach Brian Cowen, Minister BrianLenihan, Denis OBrien and John Pearsonfrom Virgin Radio. The Chamber also ranregular free courses throughout the year onhow to improve your networking skills soyou can make the most of the opportunitiesour events programme offered for personaland business development.

A Word of ThanksI would like to thank you all for your excellentcontributions throughout 2009. It is becauseof you that the Dublin Chamber is the

premier networking organisation in the cityand the powerful voice of Dublin business.Thank you sincerely for your continuedparticipation and support.

Warmest Regards,

PJ TimminsPresident

DUBLIN BUSINESSconnecting | influencingJanuary 2010

DUBLIN BUSINESSinfluencing decisions...

Dublin Chamber of Commerce, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 644 7200; Fax: (01) 676 6043

In 2009, attendances increased by 25 per cent at

Chamber events with 10,000 guests at 100 events.

Ken Murnaghan, Regional Director, Ulster Bank; PJ

Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; and Declan

Fitzgerald, MD of Business Banking, Ulster Bank, at

Business After Hours in Ulster Bank.

bi_newsletter_Feb10:Dublin Biz Newsletter May04 28/01/2010 09:51 Page 1


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connecting business...

Christmas Networking Lunchwith John Pearson, co-founderof Virgin Radio

DUBLIN BUSINESS

Mark Cunningham, Director of Business Banking,

Bank of Ireland; John Pearson, co-founder of Virgin

Radio; PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; and

Keith Barry, leading magician and illusionist.

April Redmond, Director of Strategic Planning for

Great Britain and Ireland, Coca Cola; PJ Timmins,

President Dublin Chamber; Rory Quinlan, HSBC

Private Banking; and Val Quinn, Managing Director,

Coca-Cola Ireland.

Dinner in Camera with ValQuinn, Coca-Cola

An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD; PJ Timmins, Dublin

Chamber President; Robert Gallagher, Chief

Executive, Ulster Bank Corporate Markets; and Gina

Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive.

AGM Dinner with TaoiseachBrian Cowen

Joe Grogan, Chief Executive Officer, Marsh Ireland;

PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; Charles

Barry, Deputy CEO; and Paul Rellis, Managing

Director of Microsoft Ireland.

Business Members Lunch inCamera with Paul Rellis,Microsoft

Simon Wainwright, CEO, HSBC Ireland; Minister for

Finance, Brian Lenihan TD; and PJ Timmins, Dublin

Chamber President.

Dinner in Camera with MinisterBrian Lenihan

PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; Martin

Murphy, Managing Director; Alan Duffy, Head of

Corporate Banking Ireland, HSBC.

Dinner in Camera with MartinMurphy, Hewlett-Packard

PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; and Michael

Cheika, Coach, Leinster Rugby.

Business Breakfast withLeinster Coach Michael Cheika

PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; and Denis

OBrien, Chairman, Digicel.

Annual Dinner with DenisOBrien and MinisterBrian Lenihan

2009 IN REVIEW




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connecting business...

DUBLIN BUSINESSDUBLIN BUSINESS

Haiti AppealDublin Chamber is appealing to members to donate to Irish international humanitarian organisations, such Concern and Oxfam, who arehelping to provide food, water, shelter, sanitation services and medical assistance in Haiti. You can help by making a donation atwww.concern.net or at www.oxfamireland.org

Referral WorkshopDate: Tuesday 16 FebruaryTime: 8am - 10am

Venue: Dublin Chamber of Commerce, 7 Clare St.,Dublin 2

This event is complimentary to DublinChamber members but registration [email protected] is compulsory.

Managing Your Business in 2010 Survive & ThriveSpeaker: John Foley, eTEC Consulting

ServicesDate: Thursday 18 FebruaryTime: 8.00 - 10.00 am


Speed Networking LunchDate: 24 FebruaryTime: 12.00 2.00pm


Places are complimentary to membersbut booking [email protected] is essential.

Business BreakfastGuest Speaker:

Colm Long, Director, OnlineOperations EMEA, Facebook

Date: Thursday 4 MarchTime: 7.30am

Venue: The Burlington HotelKindly Sponsored by Vodafone

Meet the Buyers Network andGetworkSectors: Construction, Engineering,

and EnvironmentDate: Thursday 11 MarchTime: 11.30am - 4.00pm

Venue: Crowne Plaza NorthwoodPlease contact [email protected] if you are interested in attending.

Business After Hours Venue: Bank of IrelandDate: Thursday 25 March

Time: 6pm 8pmKindly hosted by Bank of Ireland, Mespil Road

Places are complimentary to membersbut booking [email protected] is essential.


CALENDAR

DFA & Dublin ChamberNetworking ReceptionFor business leaders and thediplomatic corps in Iveagh House

Hosts PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President;

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin TD; and

Minister for Trade and Commerce, Bill Kelleher TD,

welcome guests.

Business Breakfast with JohnKennedy, Diageo

John Kennedy, Managing Director, Diageo Ireland;

and PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President.

Business Briefing withSteve Felice, Dell

Steve Felice, President of Small and Medium

Business, Dell.

2009 IN REVIEW


dublin chamber newsletter | january 2010

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