Green is the new Black!
Cork Chamber achieves EcoMerit Environmental Certificate
 

Here in Cork Chamber, we are striving to reduce our carbon footprint and take on actions to reduce the Chambers’ impact on our Environment. Last year we introduced our Cork Chamber reusable cups to staff for using when we’re on the go. Since then we’ve been busily working on a number of initiatives, one of which is the EcoMerit certification.


It's Party Time!
27 July, in association with Viatel
 

What better way to say thanks to your amazing team for all their hard work than to treat them to a fabulous Summer Garden Party. This is the perfect occasion to socialise together without anyone having to worry about who is organising the party.

 

There's only one rule - no suits or business cards allowed!

              

 


 

 

Enhancing Your Environment
Morrison’s Island Update
 

A high court challenge to the Morrison’s Island Flood Relief Scheme and Public realm upgrade has commenced.

 

Director of Public Affairs, Thomas Mc Hugh said: “It is disappointing to see vital flood defences and public realm for the City delayed at this stage. The plan for Morrison’s Island is overwhelmingly positive, protecting against 70-80% of the tidal flooding which affects the city centre island area and providing a comprehensive public realm upgrade to a corner of our city with great economic potential.”


A high court challenge to the Morrison’s Island Flood Relief Scheme and Public realm upgrade has commenced.

 

Speaking yesterday, Director of Public Affairs, Thomas Mc Hugh said: “It is disappointing to see vital flood defences and public realm for the City delayed at this stage. The plan for Morrison’s Island is overwhelmingly positive, protecting against 70-80% of the tidal flooding which affects the city centre island area and providing a comprehensive public realm upgrade to a corner of our city with great economic potential.”

 

The Chamber has engaged and made formal submissions throughout the development of the scheme noting:

 

  • Morrison’s Island is the most critical flood intervention for Cork. The proposed works on Morrison’s Island will protect against 70-80% of the tidal flooding which affects the city centre island area. With the threat of flooding incidences increasing, it is crucial that the necessary works are undertaken without delay to protect the future of the City Centre as an attractive location for business and residential occupancy. If Cork is to achieve its future vision of a living city accommodating an extra 125,000 residents by 2040, as well as the overall strategic potential of Cork as Ireland’s second City, and as a location for growing investment, certainty is needed. It is not viable to have a City Centre that is threatened unnecessarily and on an ongoing basis from flood and weather incidences.
  •  
  • The current quality of the urban space on Morrison’s Quay is exceptionally poor, with narrow and piecemeal pedestrian paving, decaying riverside railings and poor quality road and parking surfaces. In its current usage and state of repair it is generally a low value space, attractive almost exclusively as a location for parking. Added to this the area has huge potential as a south facing space including exceptional features such as the location of the Holy Trinity Church and Capuchin Friary and historic Quay walls.
  •  
  • The proposed plan as outlined by Cork City Council develops a public space that will be invaluable as an amenity location for residents, workers and visitors alike. In the recent Q4 2017 Economic Trends survey undertaken by Cork Chamber, we asked members their priorities for creating a City environment for ‘family living’. To this, the number one response related to diversity of housing, with the call for an enhanced Cork transport network and infrastructure as the second priority, followed strongly by the development of public spaces and amenities

 

  • The public realm project at Morrison’s Island will remove 115 parking spaces, with this we need to ensure that there are complementary parking and public transport measures put in place within the 12-month time period between consultation end and the commencement of works to mitigate impact on business. These parking spaces are primarily used by city centre workers and so we need to ensure that people have options. We strongly encourage City Hall to explore the potential for expanding Park & Ride facilities from other sides of the City and for better utilisation of Council car parks. Perhaps another site could be made available for professionals to park and walk to work? Furthermore, we need to expediate the adoption of tech solutions to the current pay and display parking disc system to more effectively utilise the available parking in the City. To be clear, we support the reduction in spaces provided proactive and tangible mitigation measures are put in place.

 

  • Equally, the removal of central parking spaces should be used as a medium to challenge Government to early release of the €200m Bus Connects Programme and delivery of dedicated bus corridors as outlined in the National Development Plan, so that our city centre remains accessible for both workers, shoppers, residents and visitors.

 

 

€500 million Climate Action Fund
 

The Climate Action Fund is one of four such funds established under the National Development Plan  2018-2027 as part of Project Ireland 2040. The fund will support initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland's climate and energy targets.

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Climate Action Fund is one of four such funds established under the National Development Plan  2018-2027 as part of Project Ireland 2040. The fund will support initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland's climate and energy targets.

 

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment has responsibility for implementing the fund, which will have an allocation of at least €500 million over the period to 2027. 

 

The first call for applications by the Climate Action Fund, which will be open to applications from the public and private sector, has been published.  As the Climate Action Fund develops, further calls will be made. 

 

This call for applications will provide grant funding to larger scale projects – seeking total support in excess of €1m – that are scheduled to commence development in 2019 or 2020.  

 

The focus of the Climate Fund will be to support a broad range of projects that, in the absence of support from the Climate Action Fund, would not otherwise be developed.  This will include projects that demonstrate innovation and capacity building. 

Some examples of the types of projects that may be supported include:

  • Renewable energy projects;
  • Energy efficiency projects;
  • District heating projects;
  • Local infrastructure projects (including electric vehicle charging networks); and
  • Projects that enhance the standards of environmental protection.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 1 October 2018.

Climate Action Fund Call for Applications

Queries should be sent to ClimateActionFund@dccae.gov.ie

 

Upskilling You
Cork Digital Marketing Awards!
#DigitalCork18
 

Entries for the Cork Digital Marketing Awards are now open and are free to enter until 3 August. This theme this year is "All things Cork". All updates will be issued with #DigitalCork18 across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

Proudly sponsored by Granite Digital and supported by Cork’s RedFM.

 

 

 

 

 


Introduction to Data Protection for Business (GDPR)
24 July - €120 for Chamber Members
 

You will be able to:

  • Identify key changes in the Data Protection legislation and how they will impact your organisation
  • Identify individual rights and your organisations obligations under the regulation
  • Obtaining consent and knowing your legal basis for processing
  • Awareness of liabilities and penalties under GDPR
  • How to effectively conduct a data audit for your business
  • Raising staff awareness

 

 

 

 

 


Latest News
Member News
 
Heading Title
Upcoming Member Events
 
Do business with fellow members
Member Offers
 

All offers can be submitted through the Member's Area of our website.


Supporting You
Maximise Your Membership
20 July
 

Ensure you get the most from your Cork Chamber. Join us for 1.5 hour session with fellow members to learn how to build your company profile by promoting member offers, upcoming events, posting job vacancies and press releases, through using the Members Area (Member Information Centre.) Don't miss out on this essential session to ensure you get the most from your membership. 

 


Focus on Lithuania!
Enterprise Europe Network
 

Irish companies have a significant opportunity to find ways to enhance the trade and investment relationship between Ireland and Lithuania. Trade between the two countries was €110 million in total in 2013. Significantly, a number of Irish large Irish companies are already represented and doing business in Lithuania, including Smurfit Kappa Baltic, Ryanair, Grafton Recruitment and TaxBack.com.


Opportunities for SMEs to explore prospects with Lithuania

 

The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) based at Cork Chamber is one of over 600 network partners across the EU and beyond. Cork’s EEN is international in its focus and it helps SMEs to find international business partners through introductions, brokerage events, providing market information and insights as well as assistance with EU legislation and information on EU funding.

 

A key tool for Irish SMEs is the EEN’s database of international business opportunities. The following are some highlights from SMEs in Lithuania ready to do business with Irish companies.

Check out live opportunities by clicking through the reference codes below or browse all opportunities in the Enterprise Europe Network database here

 

Food & beverage

  1. BOLT20180102001 - A Lithuanian family-run winery, specializing in natural fruits and berries wine production using 150 years old winemaking traditions is looking for distributors under distribution services agreement. 
  2. BOLT20170712001 -   A Lithuanian company specialized in manufacturing of sugar and chocolate decorations for confectionery products is looking for distributors and offers manufacturing agreement.

Packaging

  1. BOLT20171130001 - A Lithuanian company specializing in manufacturing of packaging materials is looking for partners under distribution services agreement.
  • BOLT20170711001 - A Lithuanian PET blow molding machines and PET tare producer is looking for commercial agents and offers manufacturing agreement.

Furniture

  1. BOLT20180228001 - A Lithuanian ship accommodation furniture manufacturing company is looking for subcontracting, manufacturing or services agreements in different countries.
  2. BOLT20171214001 - A Lithuanian company, specialized in furniture manufacturing, is looking for distributors under commercial agency, manufacturing or subcontracting agreement.

For more about information and support from the Enterprise Europe Network, contact Margaret Kelly by email   / 021 4530138

               

Public Affairs
Cork’s Future Bus Needs

Cork Chamber recently held a very productive meeting with representatives from Bus Éireann on future investment in Cork’s urban bus network in response to our city’s changing public transport requirements.


Cork’s Future Bus Needs discussed in meeting between Cork Chamber and Bus Éireann


Cork Chamber today held a very productive meeting with representatives from Bus Éireann on future investment in Cork’s urban bus network in response to our city’s changing public transport requirements.

Among the topics discussed were:

  • Added frequencies on early morning, late night and weekend services
  • Encouraging modal shift away from high car dependency
  • Improvements on core urban routes
  • Additional Park & Rides
  • Improved bus access to key employment centres such as Ringaskiddy, Cork Airport Business Park, Model Farm Road and Little Island
  • The need for more designated bus corridors to improve reliability of services

Commenting on the meeting, Thomas McHugh, Director of Public Affairs at Cork Chamber, said:

“Cork is undergoing rapid growth with more business and people looking to our city region. We need to make sure that improved public transport becomes central to this growth story to reduce congestion, enhance the attractiveness of our city centre, and to enable more people to have the choice not to own a car.”

“We are delighted to welcome Bus Éireann to our offices today to discuss exactly the type of investment required by employers in Cork”.

Cork Chamber will continue to work with Bus Éireann the National Transport Authority and other stakeholders on progressing early funding from Government’s recently announced €200m Bus Connects package to transform our city bus services. 

                                                                                                                

Pictured at Cork Chamber: Conor Healy, Cork Chamber; Thomas McHugh, Cork Chamber; Robert O’Mahony, Bus Éireann; Fiona Connelly, Bus Éireann; Michelle O’Sullivan, Cork Chamber; Sarah Thatt-Foley, Cork Chamber.

Representing You
Harley’s Street Bridge
 

Construction of the €5 million Harley’s Street Pedestrian & Cycle Bridge, linking the city centre and Victorian Quarter, is to start  this month.

 

It’s expected that when fully operational, up to 11,000 pedestrians and cyclists, travelling between the city centre and the Victorian Quarter daily, will benefit from the improved connectivity and convenience provided by Harley’s Street Bridge. The Victorian Quarter includes Mac Curtain St and the surrounding area.


Construction of the €5 million Harley’s Street Pedestrian & Cycle Bridge, linking the city centre and Victorian Quarter, is to start  this month.

 

It’s expected that when fully operational, up to 11,000 pedestrians and cyclists, travelling between the city centre and the Victorian Quarter daily, will benefit from the improved connectivity and convenience provided by Harley’s Street Bridge. The Victorian Quarter includes Mac Curtain St and the surrounding area.

 

Cork City Council has awarded the contract for the construction of the bridge to L & M Keating Contractors. L&M Keating operate nationally and internationally and recently completed local projects such as the re-development of St. Angela’s College on St Patrick’s Hill and  Perrott's Inch Pedestrian Bridge at University College Cork.

 

Lord Mayor, Cllr Mick Finn said: “ Thanks to the work of the bridge designers ARUP & Wilkinson Eyre Architects , the new bridge will fit sympathetically with the surrounding quays, buildings and city centre environment while maintaining the views along the river, Shandon and the northern suburbs. It will give the river the elegant crossing that it deserves.”

 

Construction activity will commence in mid to late July with the initial phase of work consisting of site set up and diversion of underground utilities.

 

The bridge itself will be fabricated off site by Thompsons of Carlow between July this year and February 2019.

 

Bridge sections will be transported by truck to the lower harbour for final assembly and finishing. The finished superstructure will be placed on a barge and transported by river to the city centre. The barge journey will be timed to coincide with the optimum tide level for clear passage under Brian Boru Bridge before arrival at its final destination in the city centre in April 2019.

 

The bridge will be lifted by crane from the barge in one overnight operation which will require the complete closure of both quays for the duration of the lift.

 

In parallel with the fabrication of the superstructure, minor traffic lane alterations will be required in the area where the bridge abutments ( supports) are being put in place. These lane alternations will be in place until October and consist of the following:

 

  • Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on St Patrick’s Quay with minor restrictions for bus and private parking to facilitate traffic flow around the bridge site.
  • Three traffic lanes will be maintained in the vicinity of the bridge supports on Merchant’s Quay. Two westbound lanes (one bus lane and one general traffic lane) plus one eastbound lane will be in operation for the early stages of construction with the remaining traffic restrictions lifted as soon as possible.

 

 

Cork City Council would like to thank the project sponsors, The National Transport Authority & Southern Regional Assembly for their ongoing support for the scheme. Cork City Council also want to thank our many stakeholders including local business, Bus Eireann, the public and the many public & private bodies that have contributed to the delivery of this new piece of transportation infrastructure for the City.

 

A process for selecting a formal name for the bridge will be advised later this year.

 

Connecting You
Cork Chamber Golf Classic, 6 September
In association with Jaguar Land Rover at Johnson and Perrott Bishopstown
 

Attention golf enthusiasts!  The Cork Chamber Annual Golf Classic returns on Thursday 6 September and will be held in the spectacular surrounds of Cork Golf Club. 

With a fourball scramble format, this event is always a fun, exciting day out - perfect for team-building, informal networking, corporate entertainment or just a really enjoyable round of golf.