Dear Chamber Member,

As we come to closing out Q1 of 2022, I would like to draw your attention to our Quarterly Economic Trends survey, which is open for your responses. This quarter, we have included questions around energy and your feedback will be very valuable as we increase our national and local lobbying activity on this and other issues affecting business in our region.Please share your views and experiences in our short survey here: https://bit.ly/36G7qEN  so that we can continue to represent your interests.

Today we have welcomed the announcement that a preferred mixed-modal transport solution has been selected for the highly anticipated N/M20 upgrade, signalling the advancement of the project to the next stage.

After over a decade highlighting the economic importance of this major project linking two of Ireland’s most progressive city regions, it is positive to see this progress and it represents another step towards the delivery of this project. The preferred multi-modal transport solution will encompass 80km of high-quality grade separated dual carriageway, a safe and segregated 80km active cycle and walking corridor as part of the Cork to Limerick Greenway, and enhanced public transport corridors provided via rail and bus services with additional and more frequent services.

This mixed-modal solution is essential to de-congesting and transforming towns along the route that typically see heavy and dangerous traffic conditions. Upon completion of the project, we can expect to witness greater connectivity between Cork, Limerick and Galway, an indispensable element to improving the region’s economic attractiveness to investment. It is vital to the success of the project that strategically placed ‘Park and Ride’ services and mobility hubs remain high on the agenda as the project progresses.

While public consultations will be held over the next two years, we will continue to keep our members informed with planned online briefings already in the pipeline. In the meantime, we urge Government to continue to support sustainable infrastructure projects that focus on economic and environmental resilience and to deliver on support for CMATS/LSMATS which are a huge part of the overall picture.

In the meantime, we will look forward to the announcements of the Cork Company of the Year Finalists over the next four weeks. Thanks to our sponsor, Vodafone Ireland and media partner the Irish Examiner who will carry the announcement of the finalists of each category in their Wednesday business pages. The winners will then be celebrated at our 2022 Annual Dinner on May 5th. Thank you to those businesses who entered this year's awards, and the very best of luck to all.

Warm regards,

Conor Healy

CEO