dublin chamber of commerce annual report 2007

2007 Annual Report

Delivering Infrastructure | Competitiveness | Knowledge

This is the new Pier D boarding gate facility at Dublin Airport.

The construction of Pier D is part of a €2 billion investment programme by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) in new and improved facilities.

During 2007, as part of the Transforming Dublin Airport programme, the DAA invested €250 million on a wide range of projects to expand, improve and modernise Dublin Airport. Pier D and Area 14 were delivered and construction work started on T2, which will open in April 2010.

This year we will spend a further €450 million as we make additional improvements to your airport.

ContentsPresident’s Address 2

Chief Executive’s Report 4

Council Listing 6

2007 Pictorial Review 7

Committee Report - Knowledge Economy 8

Committee Report - Competitive Dublin 9

Committee Report - Infrastructure 10

Committee Report - Communications 11

Committee Report - Business Development 12

Committee Report - International 13

Accounts 14

Staff Listing 16

1Dublin Chamber of Commerce

Annual Report 2007

President’s Address

In February 2007, I committed to pursuing the questions which needed to be addressed urgently if we are to avoid the mistakes of the past and optimise the massive investment proposed in the National Development Plan and Transport 21.

Hence the key policy focus of the Dublin Chamber during our 2007 interactions and communications with Departments, agencies and political parties was Delivery! - delivery of transport, socio-economic and knowledge infrastructure to enable the Dublin City Region to compete and achieve its true potential in the global economy. The Dublin business community pays for Dublin; we want to see implementation and ownership of the issues: not hollow promises, flexible deadlines and decision-making paralysis.

Dublin Chamber engaged proactively on your behalf with public servants to achieve common ambitions, and equally to hold them to public scrutiny in terms of efficiency and accountability.While some moderation in the rate of economic growth is expected in 2008, there are real grounds for optimism if all stakeholders are willing to

make the essential decisions and commitments required. It is collective vision and self-belief that will realise the Chamber’s vision of a Dublin City Region in 2020 that works, that is efficient – and that we can all be proud to call home.

Two essential commitments to transform the City Region are a radical revamp of the local governance system and an overhaul of the existing planning process.

For many years we have sought a new office of directly-elected Mayor for Dublin, with executive powers. In the Programme for Government, this priority has been promised by 2011. In October we brought Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley – former Mayor of Baltimore – to Dublin to enlighten our members and Ministers on how he transformed an ailing city in six years by replacing “the politics of patronage with the politics of performance”. We made a detailed submission on the Green Paper on Local Government seeking fundamental reform of outmoded systems of governance and financing. In 2008, we are submitting a policy paper on our planning system which focuses on the challenges facing the business community and considers what lessons may be learned, and what initiatives may be taken, to improve the Irish system based on an examination of how other jurisdictions manage land use and development.

We believe that a fundamental re-think of our approach to planning is needed to allow companies wishing to locate or expand in the state to receive a timely decision and a level of consistency, clarity and certainty. Furthermore, we must address the existing planning chaos to ensure that the provision of infrastructure vital for business - transport, telecommunications, waste management, conference centres – is more timely and efficient.

Transportation is by far and away the top infrastructure challenge facing Dublin. As the area most important in attracting economic investment to the City Region, it is the key to unlocking our growth potential.

Dublin Chamber President, Ronan King, and President of North

Dublin Chamber, Tony Boyle, signed a strategic alliance between

the two Chambers.

Dublin and Beijing Chambers signed a Memo of Understanding.

Ronan King,Chairman,

The Amethyst Group

DELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE | COMPETITIVENESS | KNOWLEDGE

Once again in November, we marked the anniversary of Transport 21 with a seminar to discuss the current status and progress of T21 with the Department and the agencies responsible for its delivery. Given the number of projects to be delivered and the existing level of uncertainty surrounding the construction of these projects, we called on those present to eliminate all ambiguity and offer businesses and the general public a guarantee that the city centre will not be ripped up for the construction of one project, repaired and then re-disrupted for the construction of another piece of the T21 puzzle. ‘Big Dig’; thus we demanded that a detailed implementation plan for T21 be publicly available, which includes a clear timetable for delivery of each project and a proper traffic management plan for the city. Business should only accept the period of disruption ahead based on a clear roadmap of how the works affecting the city will be delivered.

The period of transformation ahead will be successful if each stakeholder takes ownership of the issues. During the Chamber’s trade mission to New York, I was particularly impressed by Mayor Bloomberg’s plans to address the key issues impacting on the quality of life in the city by calling all agencies to account. His approach of “knocking heads together” to ensure real delivery by agencies against specific milestones must be duplicated in Dublin if we are to achieve real and sustainable change.

I would like to sincerely thank the Council, Executive, staff and each of you for your support during my Presidency. Dublin Chamber will continue to be the ‘voice of Dublin business’ and work on your behalf to ensure that the economic environment in which you operate is supporting your business’ growth. We soldiered on after falling foul of the Broadcasting Commission in the run-up to the Election, and we shall continue to persevere into the future to ensure that the Dublin City Region is a great place in which to do business, live, work and visit.

Ronan KingPresident

Pat and John Hume were presented with a life time achievement award by Dublin Chamber President Ronan King at the President’s Dinner. Pat Hume; Ronan King, Dublin Chamber President; John Hume; Declan Lawler, Area Director for Dublin, AIB; Martin O’Malley, Governor of Maryland; and Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive.

John Tierney, Dublin City Manager, Jim Glennon TD, and Ronan King, Dublin Chamber President, discuss

the art of effective lobbying.

An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD; Liam O’Mahony, Group Chief Executive, CRH; and Ronan King, Dublin Chamber President.

Dublin Chamber’s Presidents of the 21st Century: Alfie Kane (2001); David Pierce (2004); Ronan King (2007); Aine Maria Mizzoni (2005); Eugene McCague (2006); Clive Brownlee (2003); Peter Webster (2002).

Eamon Ryan TD (Green Party), Richard Bruton TD (Fine Gael), Mary Lou McDonald MEP (Sinn Féin), Cllr. Oisín Quinn (Labour

Party), Ronan King (Dublin Chamber President), Sean Ardagh

TD (Fianna Fáil) and Liz O’Donnell TD (Progressive Democrats).

2 / 3Dublin Chamber of Commerce

Annual Report 2007

Chief Executive’s Report

Gina Quin,Chief Executive

2007 has been another outstanding year for Dublin Chamber. The support of our members and the dedication of all our staff have ensured that our service offering to members has continued to improve, and our position as the ‘voice of Dublin business’ strengthened. Our three year strategy to increase membership remains on track with more businesses joining your Chamber over the past twelve months.

Once again our events team put together an excellent programme offering members the opportunity to hear from an extensive list of prominent political, business and celebrity guest speakers including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD, Minister Dermot Ahern TD, Minister

Noel Dempsey TD, Governor Martin O’Malley, Liam O’Mahony, David Riddiford, Steve Cowman, Laurence Crowley, Sean Dorgan, John Herlihy, Martin Murphy, John McElligott, Sean O’Driscoll, Tony Keohane, Eddie O’Sullivan and Dara O’Briain amongst others.

Guided by our vision - Imagine Dublin 2020 - to transform Dublin by 2020 into a well-governed,

highly Competitive, European knowledge city, we advanced our policy positions in the areas of ‘Competitiveness’, ‘Infrastructure’ and ‘Knowledge’ through our member committees.

City regions, such as the Greater Dublin Area, are now the units by which competition for investment and jobs occurs internationally. In advance of Election 2007 we campaigned extensively to place the needs of the Dublin City Region on top of the agenda of each political party. Our Budget 2008 submission, our input into the Department of Transport’s Statement of Strategy 2008-2010 and our submission into the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government’s Green Paper on Local Government Reform all reinforced the message that it is the competitive performance of the Dublin City Region which will ensure the continued economic success of the whole country.

In a recent report, the OECD highlighted that whilst national governments set many of the framework conditions affecting the business environment, local governance is also a key factor in global competitiveness. Globalisation is increasingly testing the abilities of regional authorities and is forcing them to rethink their strategies. A priority for Dublin Chamber in 2007 was the call for an improvement in the governance of the City Region as a whole. Since 2000 we have asked Government for a Greater Dublin Area Authority, under the guidance of a directly elected Mayor, to improve the management structure of the Dublin City Region and promote enhanced leadership and accountability. We were pleased to see the commitment in the recent Programme for Government to have a directly elected Mayor for Dublin by 2011.

Our submission into Minister Gormley’s office - Democracy Now! - outlined our belief that the elected Dublin Mayor should report to a directly-elected Assembly along the lines of the Greater London Authority, that the Mayor should introduce a performance and output

Launching a new All-Island Business Monitor collaboration

Liam Nellis, Chief Executive InterTradeIreland; Frank Hewitt, Chief Executive Northern Ireland

Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Anne O’Leary, Managing

Director of BT Business; Gina Quin, Chief Executive Dublin Chamber of

Commerce.


monitoring system in order to drive efficiencies at regional level, and that the creation of the office of Mayor should coincide with a change in the administration of taxes to create a direct linkage between local service usage/benefits and local taxes. Throughout 2008 we will continue to engage with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on your behalf to drive this critically important agenda item forward.

I would like to thank all members of Council, Executive, our sponsors, committee members and all our member companies, for your invaluable involvement and support over the past twelve months. As a membership-based organisation we rely on your time and effort to help us successfully connect businesses and influence decision makers. It was through your active participation that 2007 was another successful year for the Dublin Chamber.

I look forward to your continued participation and support in 2008.

Gina QuinChief Executive

All documents published by the Chamber are available for download at www.dublinchamber.ie

Dublin Chamber engaged with the Government to discuss the future

governance of the City Region. Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive; Minister John Gormley TD; Declan Lawler, Area Director for Dublin, AIB; Governor Martin

O’Malley; Ronan King, Dublin Chamber President; and PJ

Timmins, Chair of Dublin Chamber’s Infrastructure Committee.

During a ‘Connect Ethiopia’ trip, an initiative to create trade links between Ireland and Ethiopia, PJ Timmins, Chief Executive of Clery & Co., and Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive, met with President Eyessus Zafu (centre) and Executives of Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce

Gina Quin, CEO, Dublin Chamber of Commerce; Michael Patten,

Director Corporate Relations, Diageo Ireland; and Margaret

Sweeney, Vice President, Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

Looking over developing the Docklands Andrew Quinn, Partner A&L Goodbody, and Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive

We advanced our policy positions in the areas of ‘Competitiveness’, ‘Infrastructure’ and ‘Knowledge’ through our member committees


Annual Report 2007

Council member Title & Organisation Council Meetings Attended

Council Listing

Ronan King (President) Chairman, The Amethyst Group 7 of 7Margaret Sweeney (Vice President) Chief Executive, Postbank 7 of 7PJ Timmins (Deputy Vice President) Chief Executive, Clery & Co. (1941) p.l.c. 7 of 7Patrick Coveney (Honorary Treasurer) Chief Executive, Greencore 6 of 7Eugene McCague (Immediate Past President) Chairman, Arthur Cox 5 of 7Peter Brennan (Chair Competitive Dublin) Managing Director, EPS Consulting 6 of 7Greg Clarke (Chair Business Development) Managing Director, Digicom 7 of 7Martin Murphy (Chair Knowledge Economy) Managing Director, Hewlett-Packard Ireland 6 of 7Imelda Reynolds (Chair Communications) Managing Partner, Beauchamps Solicitors 5 of 7Cathal Muckian (Chair Special IT Project) Director, Business Banking, Bank Of Ireland 4 of 7

Cllr. Paddy Burke Lord Mayor of Dublin 2 of 3Dr Mazhar Ali Bari CEO, STREP 5 of 7Peter Butler President, JCI Dublin 3 of 6Aidan Brady Country Corporate Officer of Ireland, Citi 3 of 7Dermot Breen Director, Corporate Affairs, Tesco Ireland 5 of 7Clive Brownleee Chairman, Dublin Convention Bureau 6 of 7Gráinne Byrne Managing Director, gbc Public Relations Ltd 6 of 7David Carson Partner – M&A Transaction Services, Deloitte & Touche 3 of 7Des Fahey Chief Executive, Dublin Business Innovation Centre 6 of 7Niall Geoghegan Chief Executive Officer, Jury’s Doyle Hotel Group 1 of 7Jack Golden Human Resources Director, CRH plc 3 of 7Jacqueline Hall Managing Director, Political Communications Limited 6 of 7Liam Kavanagh Deputy Managing Director, The Irish Times 5 of 7John Kelly Head of Consumer Strategy, AIB Group 5 of 7Declan Lawler Area Director for Dublin, AIB Group 4 of 7Pat Maher Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland 5 of 7Tom McAleese Managing Director, Barclays Bank Ireland PLC 6 of 7Sharen McCabe Chief Executive, McCabes Pharmacy 5 of 7Áine Maria Mizzoni Managing Partner, Guardiano del Faro 4 of 7Denise Moroney Chief Executive, Brand Dynamics 3 of 7Professor Brian Norton President, Dublin Institute Of Technology 3 of 7Frank O’Connell Director - Retail, Dublin Airport Authority 4 of 7Professor Joyce O’Connor Chairperson, Digital Hub Development Agency 4 of 7David O’Halloran Business Developement Director, Coyle Hamilton Willis 7 of 7Tiarnan O’Mahoney Chief Executive, International Securities Trading Coporation 3 of 7Billy O’Regan Managing Director, Britvic Ireland 6 of 7David Pierce Head of Inward Investment, Ulster Bank Group Centre 6 of 7Dr. Michael J Somers Chief Executive, National Treasury Management Agency 0 of 7Liam Quirke Managing Partner, Matheson Ormsby Prentice 0 of 7Peter Stapleton Managing Director, Lisney 4 of 7John Tierney City Manager, Dublin City Council 6 of 7Peter Webster Chairman, Image Now 5 of 7


2007Pictorial Review

Mason Hayes & Curran host a Business After Hours event at their new offices. These events offer excellent networking opportunities between members.

Business category members listen to Martin Murphy, Managing

Director for HP Ireland, at one of the Chamber’s Lunches in Camera.

The Irish Times Living Dublin Awards 2007 with overall winners Centre for Academic Achievement. Bronagh Duffy, from the Centre; Lord Mayor of Dublin Paddy Bourke; Eleanor Cooke, from the Centre; Ronan King, Dublin Chamber of Commerce President; Maeve Donavan, Managing Director of The Irish Times; and Colin O’Reilly, from the Centre.

Business Breakfasts, such as that with Ann Heraty (centre), Chief Executive of CPL, give our members the opportunity to meet with and listen to high profile business speakers. Pictured with Gary Ryan, Energia’s Sales and Marketing Director, and PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber Deputy Vice-President.

Clive Brownlee, Chairman Ireland Hong Kong Business Forum (left), officiated over the celebration of the Year of the Pig at the annual Chinese New Year Lunch. Those pictured above include Noel Treacy TD, Minister of State, Duncan Pescod, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Communities, and Margaret Sweeney, Vice-President Dublin Chamber.

In its inaugural year, Dublin Chamber Golf Society members Tadhg O’Sullivan, OSK, Scott Diamond, Marsh, and Jimmy Dolan, OSK, enjoy a round of golf at the Royal Dublin Golf Club.

Eddie O’Sullivan, Head Coach of the Irish Rugby Team, speaking at 2007 Sporting Lunch.


Annual Report 2007

Committee Report: Knowledge Economy

Martin Murphy,Managing Director,

HP Ireland

In its 2020 vision for Dublin, the Dublin Chamber pictures a knowledge city region which will generate, attract and retain a highly skilled and creative workforce driving our future economic success. Using the Chamber’s vision document as a guide, the Knowledge Economy Committee

was established to make practical recommendations to Government on developing Dublin as a Knowledge City and uniquely draws its membership from both the business community of the City Region’s growing knowledge industry and Dublin’s higher education institutions.

In its second year, the Committee has focused on the

completion of a policy paper which will shape the Chamber’s approach to creating a thriving knowledge economy in the Dublin City Region.

In formulating the paper, the group reviewed the significant body of existing policy strategies produced by Government and other organisations aimed at creating and supporting a knowledge economy. From this analysis the Committee concluded that, while these strategies captured the essence of what a knowledge economy would be composed of, several gaps in the implementation and realisation of these goals existed. Therefore, the Committee’s policy recommendations focused on practical goals that can be achieved within the next five years that would truly make an impact on achieving this vision.

The Committee focused on four key areas in developing its recommendation – learning, ICT infrastructure, SME enablement, and showcasing Dublin as a knowledge capital. We believe that the knowledge economy will not and cannot be exclusively maintained by high-technology firms. If the Dublin City Region is to be a successful knowledge city region it will need to have a balanced eco-system, with companies

recruiting from a world class workforce enabled by the tools they need - both infrastructural and intellectual – that keep them internationally competitive and dynamic.

This paper, entitled Developing a Knowledge City Region: A Ten Point Plan, was launched at the beginning of 2008 and it has been distributed to members and key influencers. We have started the process of lobbying for change and the Committee will continue to see that this agenda stays in the sights of all stakeholders.

The Committee is also in the process of examining some proposals for changes to the Irish intellectual property environment, which when coupled with improvements to our knowledge infrastructure would improve the attraction of Dublin as an R&D destination.

Through the Chamber’s events series Dublin Chamber members have been hearing from the senior managers of the region’s leading knowledge companies, which has included eBay, Citi, Hewlett-Packard, Wyeth, and Google. These events offer members insight into the best practices of these top businesses in adapting to a knowledge economy.

During the past year we have been privileged to gain from a wealth of knowledge from those who have shared their understanding with us during the policy formulation process. I wish to thank all these external contributors from various agencies, departments and companies for their valued contribution. I would also like to extend a special thank you to each member of the Committee for their commitment and dedication over the past year.

Martin MurphyChairperson

...creating a thriving knowledge economy in the

Dublin City Region


During the course of 2007, the Competitive Dublin committee identified the factors that determine the competitive position of the Dublin City Region and the quality of life indicators for the capital’s citizens.

As the engine of growth for the whole economy and the only city region in Ireland of sufficient size to compete on a global basis, we believe that the special role the Dublin City Region plays in national development is not adequately recognised in the overall debate about national competitiveness. Our key objective therefore for 2007 was to inform senior policy-makers about the challenges facing Dublin and to ensure that they all recognised that in the global market for investment and knowledge workers, it is city regions, and not nation states, that compete for foreign direct investment.

In light of presentations from Dr. Thornhill, Chairman of the National Competitiveness Council, and Sean Gorman, Secretary General, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the committee produced a preliminary report entitled Benchmarking the Dublin City Region’s Competitiveness with Reference to International Benchmarks. The aim of this paper was to define, on the basis of evidence-based research, the key challenges facing the Dublin City Region, against which the actions of Government, both national and local, could be benchmarked.

The committee carried out and then reviewed a competitiveness audit for the City Region, beginning the processing of comparing Dublin’s performance with reference to global competitiveness indicators. The preliminary findings which emerged are unsettling. Ongoing challenges include the high cost of living, rising business costs, and poor infrastructure and poor quality of life indicators. Dublin is unfortunately performing below its potential when compared to competitor city regions.

The Competitive Dublin committee strengthened its collaboration and cooperation with Dublin City

Council during the year. As essential business partners with a shared vision for Dublin and its economic and social development, we will continue this positive engagement in the course of 2008. We believe that it is important to synchronise with, and input into, the work being conducted by Dublin City Council regarding city benchmarking.

The committee is fully aware that no one benefits from Dublin being branded internationally with a reputation as an expensive place to live, visit and do business in. In the light of the preliminary findings of the Chamber’s city region competitive study we will now engage with all stakeholders to address the issues that once tackled will significantly improve the fortunes of the Dublin City Region and the quality of life of its citizens.

I would like to thank each committee member for their valuable contributions and participation throughout 2007.

Peter BrennanChairperson

“Vote for Delivery!” Dublin Chamber President, Ronan King, and Chief Executive, Gina Quin, led the Chamber’s campaign to focus voters’ attention on delivery to keep Dublin internationally competitive.

Committee Report: Competitive Dublin

Peter Brennan,Managing Director, EPS Consulting


Annual Report 2007

Committee Report: Intrastructure

PJ Timmins,Chief Executive, Clery & Co. Plc

With Transport 21 now steadily into its stride, and the holding of a General Election in May, the ‘Infrastructure’ committee worked intensively throughout 2007 to ensure that our message of SWIFT DELIVERY of transport infrastructure in the Dublin City Region was heard clearly by all political parties, Dublin City Council and all the transportation agencies - Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency.

When Transport 21 was unveiled in 2005 Dublin Chamber welcomed and supported this capital investment framework. However, with a continuously increasing population in the Dublin City Region placing greater demands on the existing inadequate infrastructure stock and transport projects being seriously delayed and fitted retrospectively in an ever evolving capital city, businesses and residents are suffering massively.

The committee strongly believes that the current lack of a detailed implementation plan for Transport 21 in the City Region must be attend to, if Dublin wishes to remain an attractive investment location for business and residential location for workers. We want to see specific milestones for T21, against which delivery can be assessed, made publically available and also for a detailed traffic management plan to be put in place to prevent the city grinding to a halt during construction of projects.

Accordingly, our submission into the Department of Transport’s Statement of Strategy 2008-2010 called on the Department to lead the way in getting proper planned development in the Dublin City Region by producing a specific comprehensive strategy for transport development, which would take account of Transport 21 but also look ahead to 2050. The committee wants this long term strategy to have three key priorities- the swift delivery of transport infrastructure within the Dublin City Region; the application of best practice approaches during the construction of projects to minimise economic disruption; and the complete integration of planning and land use.

This last priority was a clear focus of the committee in 2007. We want to see significant improvements made to the planning system and the implementation of decisions, as the current delays, bureaucracy and uncertainties are detrimental to business development. We began the process of engaging with an external consultant to review the existing planning system and to produce an informed discussion document focusing on the challenges facing the business community in the Dublin City Region. We hope this piece of work will offer ‘value-added’ and ensure that in the future the Dublin City Region has the port and airport facilities, and the road, rail and bus networks, necessary to place it - by 2020 - into the top quartile internationally for transport.

This Chamber vision for transport in the Dublin City Region would not have been realised without the assiduous work of each committee member. Their contribution throughout 2007 was invaluable to the development of Chamber transport and infrastructure policy and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each one of them sincerely for their input and support during the year.

PJ TimminsChairperson

Speaking at Dublin Chamber’s annual Transport 21 Briefing

was Michael Phillips, Dublin City Council’s Director of Traffic, Dick

Fearn, CEO of Iarnrod Eireann; Frank Allen, CEO of RPA, Joe

Meagher, CEO of Dublin Bus, and Fred Barry, CEO of NRA, with Ronan King, Dublin Chamber

President, and Gina Quin, CEO, Dublin Chamber (centre).


Dublin Chamber of Commerce is the ‘Voice of Dublin Business’ and this year the Communications Committee has been working hard to ensure that voice was heard loud and clear.

The central focus of this year’s work was the General Election. A special committee, consisting of the members of Communications Committee, as well as former, current and future Dublin Chamber Presidents, worked to ensure that the priorities for Dublin business in the election were articulated strongly.

Our key messages for the parties aspiring to govern were elicited both from a member survey and from the Chamber Policy Committees, following which they were agreed by Council. These priorities were presented using the three key messages of Dublin Chamber – the need for improved competitiveness, the imperative for improved infrastructure and the requirement to develop a knowledge economy – which the Communication Committee has integrated over the last year into all Chamber policy communications.

The launch of Dublin Business Priorities: General Election 2007 received significant coverage in the print, radio and web media. The campaign also targeted the key influencers of the major political parties with a Chamber delegation, led by the President, meeting to discuss their party’s Dublin agenda.

To bring our message and the parties’ answers back to our members, the Chamber held a public forum with representatives of six political parties, entitled ‘The Dublin Debate’. Also, using the Dublin Chamber website, we engaged further with members through a variety of pages which focused on the Election and generated supporting material for member action that reinforced the Dublin Business Priorities.

We continued to ensure that the Chamber’s message, especially during the Election campaign, was consistently communicated through our publications - Business Ireland, the Dublin Business newsletter, and the e-zine. These

publications covered a series of Dublin Chamber press releases which developed in detail the business demands contained in Dublin Business Priorities.

In addition to contributing to the Election campaign, the Communications Committee has sought to improve the manner in which the Chamber communicates, through reviewing and fine-tuning how its messages are delivered to members and key influencers. For example, a review of the Chamber’s policy tracker, which provides a comprehensive overview on all policy areas, has resulted in it being more reader friendly. For example, members can follow how the Chamber succeeded in having the issue of a Mayor for Dublin included in the Agreed Programme for Government.

The Communications Committee has also started to look ahead to 2008, and is co-ordinating a campaign designed to strengthen recognition amongst members, the general Dublin business community, and key influencers, of the success that Dublin Chamber of Commerce achieves in connecting business and influencing decisions.

Since 2005 the Chamber has sought to change the way it is seen and heard. I would like to thank each of the members of the Committee and the General Election Committee for their commitment and dedication during a very busy year for the Communications Committee.

Imelda ReynoldsChairperson

Committee Report: Communications

Imelda Reynolds,Managing Partner, Beauchamps Solicitors


Annual Report 2007

Committee Report:Business Development

Greg Clarke,Managing Director,

DigicomThroughout 2007, the Business Development Committee examined the needs of Dublin Chamber members and focused on improving its services offering. The main areas the committee concentrated on included strengthening bonds with other Chambers, the Enterprise Europe Network, North South partnerships, room hire, and membership.

During 2007 a strategic alliance was formed between Dublin Chamber of Commerce and North Dublin Chamber of Commerce. This alliance serves to fortify the voice of Dublin business and your Chamber’s ability to influence on critical issues for the business community in the Greater Dublin Area.

A top priority for the Business Development committee was also to develop greater policy co-ordination and economic co-operation between North and South Ireland. The committee agreed that Dublin Chamber would engage with BT, InterTradeIreland and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to produce a business sentiment monitor on an All-Island basis. This survey offers the business community and decision-makers great insight into the opportunities available to, and challenges facing, all businesses as the level of cross-border co-operation continues to increase.

The Committee worked to devise a marketing plan which will continue to highlight the benefits of use of the Chambers excellent conference, training and meeting rooms to companies doing business in Dublin City.

The Committee examined the Enterprise Europe Network project proposal and the decision was made that the project would be of great benefit to Chamber members. The Enterprise Europe Network consists of some 500 organisations throughout Europe. The aim of the Enterprise Europe Network is to help small and medium-sized enterprises develop their innovative potential and to raise their awareness of European Commission policies. It provides the broadest range of services to help assist and advise SME’S including:Offering assistance to companies in identifying

potential commercial partners, especially in other countries;Helping SMEs develop new products, to access new markets and to inform them about EU activities and opportunities;Advising small businesses on technical issues such as intellectual property rights, standards and EU legislation; andActing as a two-way street between entrepreneurs and EU decision-makers, relaying views in both directions.Dublin Chamber will be the centre for this service in the Dublin region.

The committee reviewed the Chamber membership offering in its SME, Business and Corporate categories. Throughout 2008, the Business category will be further analysed to ensure the needs of members in this category are being met.

The Business Development Committee wishes to thank the following sponsors who have kindly supported the Dublin Chamber over the past year: A&L Goodbody; AIB; AOL; Bank of Ireland Business Banking; BDO Simpson Xavier; BT; Citi; COLT Telecom; Data Solutions; Diageo; Energia; Grant Thornton; Invest NI; The Irish Times; Mason Hayes & Curran; Matheson Ormsby Prentice; National Irish Bank; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Temple Bar Hotel; the Commercial Mediation Association for Mediation; the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland; the Oyster Group; and Ulster Bank. We would like to thank the Irish Times for their continued support of one of our long standing community projects ‘The Irish Times Living Dublin Awards’. The awards allow us to give recognition and to celebrate both commitment and efforts by community groups, businesses and educational institutes that enhance the wellbeing of communities in Dublin City and County.

I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all those involved in the Business Development Committee for their contribution and support in 2007.

Greg ClarkeChairpersonDublin Chamber Council Room.


The International Department runs many vibrant and exciting programmes. Working with International Chambers of Commerce, embassies and other business organisations both worldwide and locally, we offer members valuable and unique opportunities to access a global network to expand and develop their business.

2007 proved to be a year packed full of international activities through, inward & outward missions and the Ireland Hong Kong Business Forum.

Highlights of 2007 included a high-level Business Mission in April to London, involving a busy programme of information and networking events including a key note address from Willie Walsh, CEO of British Airways, and a meeting with the Lord Mayor of London, Ken Livingston.

Our November Business Mission to New York proved to be equally high profile and included meetings with the New Governor, Elliot Spitzer and his team, PlaNYC and attendance at the prestigious US-Ireland Council Dinner. These missions offered participants an effective and efficient way of identifying new international business opportunities and to acquiring knowledge and connections critical to success.

Incoming delegations included the European Business Mission by Governor of Georgia Sonny Perdue and a delegation from the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.

Through our Hong Kong Business Forum we held a number of key events including the first ever Shenzhen-Hong Kong Technology Mission to Dublin, the Chinese New Year Luncheon and a luncheon to mark the visit of Mr Wong Yan Lung, Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong, to Dublin.

The International Programme also encompassed a number of Dublin based events which focus on providing interested members with relevant information on chosen markets worldwide. These range from seminars and conferences to business luncheons and breakfast briefing sessions.

Each year we look to expanding the services of the International Department. New developments include running the new EU ‘Enterprise Europe Network’ programme which has been created by the EU to help companies develop their innovation potential and access European business support services. December saw a visit to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia by our CEO amongst others with a view to developing Trade links between the two countries. This year also saw the International Department advance the development of our ‘Travelling University’ Programme which will see us setting up networks of learning and benchmarking best international practice’s throughout the world.

Finally, I would personally like to thank the members of the committee who volunteered their time and energy during 2007.

Pat MaherChairperson

Delegates of the Dublin Chamber Business Mission to New York

meeting with Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Committee Report: International

Pat Maher,Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland

Members of the Chamber’s London Business Mission meeting with the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone.


Annual Report 2007

Accounts

Consolidated Income And Expenditure AccountYear Ended 31 October 2007

2007€

2006€

Income

Subscriptions 1,250,768 1,141,832

Export documentation 286,198 256,168

Secretarial services, projects and sponsorship -

2,158

Membership services (net of direct costs) 374,072 413,253

1,911,038 1,813,411

Expenditure

Staff costs (net of allocation to membership services) 1,027,974 993,049

Promotion and public relations 143,311 113,943

Financial and administration expenses 184,551 182,771

Establishment costs 121,323 106,054

Depreciation 108,772 110,088

1,585,931 1,505,905

Net surplus 325,107 307,506

Interest income 8,637 475

Interest expense (6,654) (13,517)

Net surplus on ordinary activities before taxation 327,090 294,464

Corporation tax on interest income (695) (95)

Net surplus on ordinary activities after taxation 326,395 294,369

Accumulated surplus

Surplus in the year 326,395 294,369

At beginning of year 576,911 282,542

At end of year 903,306

576,911

The surplus on an historical cost basis would be greater for the year to 31 October 2007 by €37,514 (2006: €37,514) due solely to the charge for depreciation on the revalued amount included in land and buildings.

The company has no recognised gains or losses other than the result for the year as set out above.

On behalf of CouncilRonan KingMargaret Sweeney

On behalf of CouncilRonan King

Margaret SweeneyDELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE | COMPETITIVENESS | KNOWLEDGE

2007€

2006€

Current assets

Debtors 516,049 426,018

Bank and cash - carnet deposits 358,191 324,003

- other 728,661 684,416

1,602,901 1,434,437

Current liabilities

Creditors 826,049 814,680

Net current assets 776,852 619,757

Fixed assets 2,722,308 2,785,773

3,499,160 3,405,530

Represented by:

Capital reserve 1,875,742 1,875,742

Accumulated surplus 903,306 576,911

2,779,048 2,452,653

Income received in advance 720,112 580,213

Long term liabilities – 372,664

3,499,160 3,405,530

On behalf of CouncilRonan King

Margaret Sweeney

Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 October 2007

Company Balance Sheet as at 31 October 2007 2007

€

2006€

Current assets

Debtors 516,049 426,018

Bank and cash - carnet deposits 358,191 324,003

- other 728,661 684,416

1,602,901 1,434,437

Current liabilities

Creditors 826,049 814,680

Net current assets 776,852 619,757

Fixed assets 2,722,308 2,785,773

3,499,160 3,405,530

Represented by:

Capital reserve 1,875,742 1,875,742

Accumulated surplus 903,306 576,911

2,779,048 2,452,653

Income received in advance 720,112 580,213

Long term liabilities – 372,664

3,499,160 3,405,530


Annual Report 2007

Staff Listing

Gina QuinChief Executive

Michelle BerryFinance Manager

Jean HoeyDirector of Business Development

Deirdre DalyPA to Chief Executive

Joanne DoranFinance Assistant

Aideen RyanMembership DevelopmentManager

Karl ByrneReception/Administration

Kay GibbonsCredit Controller

Ruaidhrí MaxwellMembership Development Executive

Linda McNultyInternational Trade and Special Projects Manager

Aebhric McGibneyDirector of Policy &Communications

Ciara DuncanEvents Manager

Richard BrownExport Services Manager

Patrick KingPolicy & Communications Executive

Maire WalshEvents Executive

Ruth SpainExport Services Executive

Catherine McCabePolicy & Communications Officer

Bernadette CartonHousekeeper


T2: Opening April 2010

Delivering Infrastructure | Competitiveness | Knowledge

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 2007

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