Dear Chamber Member,

I hope you, your families and colleagues are keeping safe and well.

In the last week Urban Regeneration and Development Funding was announced for Cork City and County Councils, totaling €405 million. This is significant funding and is to be allocated across four projects: Cork City Docklands (€353.4m), Grand Parade Quarter (€46.05m), Mallow Town Centre Regeneration (€4.7m) and Passage West - Ringaskiddy - Carrigaline Harbour Cluster (€817.5m).

Government must be commended for aligning the vision set out for Cork in Ireland 2040, as Ireland’s fastest growing City Region with the funding set for regeneration. It is a proportionate allocation that will deliver not just for Cork, but for the state. It is essential that the announcement now quickly shifts to investment on the ground and that viability and affordability of apartments is tackled at a policy level. Delivery is critical to investor confidence far beyond the boundaries of the regeneration areas set out. Cork must deliver on its infrastructural commitments or our global competitors will steal a march as we move on from this pandemic.

The decision by An Bórd Pleanála to uphold the planning approval made by Cork City Council last October for the Custom House site is another positive move for the city. The plans for multi-purpose use of the site will harness this prime location, overlooking the river and standing proudly at the head of the city’s island are a statement of how our city can celebrate its heritage while delivering spaces designed for a modern progressive city. The redevelopment of the bonded warehouses will open them to the public for the first time, allowing access to this beautiful and historic building.

The approval of this planning for the Custom House site, coupled with last week’s Urban Regeneration Development Funding announcement for the Docklands show truly inspired ambition for our city region which will enhance Cork’s reputation.

What is being described as a 'landmark Climate Bill' was approved by Government this week which is designed to set Ireland on the path to net-Zero emissions no later than 2050. The targets are ambitiously front-loaded aiming to achieve a 51% reduction in emissions by the end of this decade. This ambition is encouraging and the business community has a critical role is supporting and achieving these critical targets. The public consultation has been opened and I encourage all to share their views through this process, either through a direct submission or via our Public Affairs team at the Chamber.

There has been a great appetite for our networking events, and we are launching an exciting new Chamber CONNECTS Series where you can network with fellow Chamber members in other locations. Our first in the series is with Limerick Chamber, and we look forward to welcoming you along to this virtual event. Linked HERE

You can contact me directly on 087-9471858 or by e-mail HERE.

Warm regards,

Conor Healy

CEO