Dear Chamber Member,

While it seems that much of life is on hold as we eagerly await the reduction of restrictions on our movement, activities and commerce, there is significant progress being made on projects that will have a great impact on our lives for years to come.

There has been great hope expressed internationally at the results from the experimental COVID-19 vaccine being develpoment by Pfizer and BioNTech. And the announcement by President Ursula von der Leyen that the European Commission will approve a contract for the supply of the vaccine, the fourth such contract with a pharmaceutical company, is an additional boost to our hopes for containing the virus and allowing greater freedoms to return to our communities. 

The decision taken by Cork City Council and the Land Development Agency to establish a Cork City Docklands Delivery Office, to accelerate the redevelopment of some 146 hectares of Cork’s prime waterfront location is very welcome and will be essential to its delivery. We will continue to advocate for necessary government funding via the Urban Regional Develoopment Fund (URDF) and for the necessary policy change to ensure that the housing element delivered is viable and affordable.

Our advocacy for supports for Cork Airport have been well publicised, and yesterday the announcement that government is to provide operational and capital assistance and a new national airport charges rebate scheme, is good news for the entire community. Protecting our international connectivity is critical in safeguarding future investment for our region, and we look ahead now to the adoption of the EU travel protocols as an important next step. 

Separately, there has been good investment and jobs news across the country this week, and specifically in Cork we welcome the announcement of Pfizer investment plans at their site in Ringaskiddy, the jobs announcements by Aspira and Cadence, and Amarenco's securing of investment.

Each good news story has a positive impact on the wider business community, and indeed on our mental health.

We remind all our members to support each other, shop local and make the most of our Chamber supports at this time. We have enhanced our members directory to better promote your products and services and we have launched our seasonal Cork Chamber Gift Card campaign to promote spend in our local economy.

Please feel free to contact me or one of the Chamber team if we can be of assistance to you, and stay connected through our social media for news and updates. 

Warm Regards, 

Conor Healy

CEO of Cork Chamber