Annual Report 2008

Dublin Chamber of Commerce Delivering for Dublin:

7 Clare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Connecting Business, Influencing Decisions
T +353 (0)1 644 7200
F +353 (0)1 676 6043
W www.dublinchamber.ie
E info@dublinchamber.ie
As an Island nation, ports are of huge importance to the Irish economy.
As Ireland’s largest port, Dublin Port is at the very heart of the Irish
economy facilitating the import and export of over two thirds of all
containerised trade to and from this country.

Dublin Port is also a significant gateway for tourism revenue, handling over
1.3 million ferry and cruise passangers each year.

Dublin Port Company, Port Centre, Alexandra Road, Dublin 1.

Tel: + 353 1 887 6000 Fax: + 353 1 855 7400 Email: info@dublinport.ie

www.dublinport.ie
 Contents

Dermot Breen – Chairperson

President’s Address 2

Chief Executive’s Report 4

Council Listing 6

Pictorial Review 2008 7

Committee Report - Knowledge Economy 8

Committee Report - Competitive Dublin 9

Committee Report - Infrastructure and Transport 10

Committee Report - Marketing and Communications 11

Committee Report - Business Development 12

Committee Report - International 13

Accounts 14

Staff Listing 16

Contents 1
 President’s Address

Margaret Sweeney – President

At my inaugural speech as the new

President of the Chamber in February
2008, I said that we were at ‘the tipping
point’ for the next stage of development
for Dublin city and for the country as a
whole. Little did we think then that a
few months later, we would be tipping
over the peak of the business cycle and
down into a sharp economic slowdown.
We are now faced with a new and
extremely challenging set of global and
national economic circumstances. We
need to take a collective and coordinated
response to steer the economy through
this challenging and changed world.
What we need now is smart business, smart
government and a strong social conscience.
Ultimately the country has to trade its way out of this
problem, there’s no other way. There is still a market
out there for what we do and our greatest asset is
our young growing and well educated population
with a strong enterprise and entrepreneurial culture.
We need to sustain confidence in business and
consumer sectors of the economy if we are to get
back to growth quickly.
There are three key pillars which I believe need to
be the focus in order to get the economy back in the
driving seat as quickly as possible. These are:
Investment
Efficiency and Cost Management, and
Competitiveness
We need to foster entrepreneurs and indigenous
business, as well as attract investment into the
country. We need to create the stimuli for the
productive side of the economy if we are to trade
ourselves out of these recessionary times.
We as business people have to swiftly make our
businesses leaner, more flexible, more creative and
more resilient and we are already engaged in this
process.
First Minister Ian Paisley MP MLA, Margaret Sweeney, and
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD at the Chamber AGM Dinner.
Dublin Chamber is here to support you, the
members, through our core mission of ‘Connecting
Businesses’ and ‘Influencing Decisions’. The
Chamber offers its support by running the best
business networking events possible, and ensuring
that Government pays attention to the needs of
enterprise by providing the appropriate policy
context for a competitive business environment in
the Dublin City Region.
In 2008 we focused our minds on the key areas for
the development of Dublin business – developing
a knowledge economy, making Dublin more
competitive and quickly delivering quickly an
efficient and integrated transport network across
the Greater Dublin Area. We have actively engaged
with Government Ministers and Departments, local
authorities, education providers, transport agencies,
Councillors and state agencies to ensure that your
business requirements and concerns are being
addressed.
We took a leadership role in keeping the Dublin
business community abreast of developments with
Transport 21 including quarterly meetings with
the Minister for Transport, regular meetings with
Dublin City Council, submissions on Metro North,
our annual Transport 21 briefing between the key
transport agencies and our business members.
We have continued to lobby for more rapid
development of our communications networks.

Even more urgently we need a courageous plan for

the rebalancing of the cost and service model of
the Public Sector. We urgently need to see a five
year plan to credibly and comprehensively address
the public sector service/cost model and fiscal
framework that is suitable for this country.

Margaret Sweeney and EU Commissioner for the Internal

Market, Charlie McCreevy.

2 President’s Address
 Cathal Muckian, Bank of Ireland Business Banking; Sir Alan Sugar,
entrepreneur and star of The Apprentice UK; Margaret Sweeney; and
Bill Cullen, Glencullen Holdings and star of The Apprentice Ireland, at
The Chamber made a submission to the Department the Chamber Christmas Lunch.

of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

on next generation networks (NGNs). These
networks are the cornerstone of a modern economy
and a prerequisite for Dublin’s future development as
a knowledge city region. Our submission proposes
more ambitious goals for broadband and argues for a
more direct role for Government to ensure that such
targets are met.

In order to achieve a more effective cost/service

model for the public sector, we made a submission
to the Department of Environment, Heritage and
Margaret Sweeney and Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan TD, at
Local Government on their Green Paper on Local the Chamber Annual Dinner.
Government Reform. We highlighted the critical
need for more productive and cost effective services
in the Dublin City Region and offered conditional
support to the creation of the office of a powerful,
accountable directly elected Mayor. The income base
of the local authorities must be broadened more
widely, to reduce their existing excessive reliance
on business as a source of revenue. Our 2009
Budget submission requested that no measures
be introduced that would directly add to inflation or
further increase business costs.

As President I was delighted to welcome many

distinguished guests - from the political arena,
sporting arena and the world of business – to
Chamber events throughout the year, and also
meet with a number of distinguished guests during
Margaret Sweeney presents Catherine Day,
our missions abroad. The year started off with an  Secretary General of the European Commission,
historic event with the Taoiseach and the Right with a copy of the Chamber’s ‘Executive
Hon Ian Paisley showing us the opportunity now Summary’ of the Lisbon Treaty.

presented to this country as a result of peace.

We had the pleasure and opportunity  of meeting
with Commissioner Mc Creevy; Catherine Day,
Secretariat-General of the European Commission;
and Peter Mandelson, EU Commissioner in Brussels.  have placed in me as the 138th President of Dublin
We learned from people who push the boundaries
of what is possible, Pat Falvey and Niall Quinn. We
were entertained by entrepreneurs and Mayors,
Sir Alan Sugar and Ken Livingstone. At our many
networking events, our members got the opportunity
to hear insights from Chris Clark, BT Ireland; Deirdre
Somers, Irish Stock Exchange; Ronald Drieduite,
Unilever Ireland; Patrick Neary, Financial Regulator;
Jim Barry, NTR; Richard Dujardin, Veolia; Mark Ryan,
Accenture; Bill Walsh, Jurys Doyle Hotel Group;
Declan Collier, Dublin Airport Authority; Danny
Murray, Topaz; Sean Green, BMW; Vincent Crowley,
Independent News & Media; Eamonn Fallon, DAFT
and David Mc Redmond, TV3.
It has been my pleasure to serve as your President
and I am grateful for the trust you the members
Chamber of Commerce.  I would like to thank you
all sincerely for your support and co-operation during
my term. Once again the contribution from each
one of you - members, the Chamber staff, Executive
Committee, Council, sponsors and committees - has
been outstanding. Your valuable participation has
ensured that we are facing into 2009 with a strong
network, solid policies and an excellent product
offering.
Thank you,
Margaret Sweeney
President

President’s Address 3
 Chief Executive’s
Report

Gina Quin – Chief Executive

What a challenging year 2008 has been the broadening of the tax base of local authorities
for business! But with every challenge
comes an opportunity to shake up existing
practices and structures and flourish
thanks to smart and innovative thinking.
When listening to endless negative
media pieces on the global economy, it is
worth noting that it was during the Great
Depression that most millionaires were
made! The opportunities for your business
are out there.

As your Chamber, we want to ensure that we are

fully responsive to your needs. 2008 showed us
all the increasing importance of networking to ‘oil
the wheels of business’ and develop new market
opportunities, and the Chambers events programme
that encouraged networking at all different levels and
intensity. On the influencing side, we focused more
and more on competitiveness and costs – be it the
cost of local rates and charges, or the importance
of Dublin as a city region competing on the world
stage.
Our four immensely popular ‘feature’ events were
a huge success, with guests hearing from then
First Minister Ian Paisley and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
TD at our AGM; Niall Quinn and Pat Falvey at our
Sporting Lunch; Ken Livingstone and Tánaiste, Mary
Coughlin TD at our Annual Dinner; and Sir Alan
Sugar at our Christmas Lunch. Our events team also
offered a series of other connecting opportunities
through Business after Hours, Dinner in Camera,
Business Members Lunches, Business Breakfasts
and Business Briefings. All of these events were
fully subscribed with over 8,000 attendees, offering
prime networking opportunities to all. As the fierce
competition for business contracts continues, we
look forward to your active participation at our events
in 2009.
Throughout 2008, we pushed your issues as the
voice of Dublin business. We asked, and listened to,
each one of you about what changes need to take
place to make Dublin a better place to do business.
Based on your feedback we have continued to push
for the swift delivery of an integrated transport
network (including Metro North) in the Dublin
City Region without disruption to businesses; the
introduction of high quality (100mb+) broadband by
2012 to bring us on par with our competitors; and
Margaret Sweeney, Dublin Chamber President;
Minister of State, Dick Roche TD; and Gina Quin.
to reduce their excessive reliance on business as a
source of funding. At every stage, we emphasised
the importance of cost competitiveness to
businesses. Indeed, this is the reason we are holding
our membership fee for 2009 at last years levels
so that each one of you can avail of our improved
services at no extra cost. We have called on Central
and Local Government to adopt a similar position
and place efficiency and effectiveness at the heart of
their operations.
Internationally, we have had a very proactive year.
In addition to our Brussels Business Mission that
centred on the Lisbon Treaty. We also welcomed
delegations from Estonia, Poland, Maryland and
San Jose in the USA, Thailand, Kenya, Russia, Hong
Kong and China. Our ‘Business Monitor’ with BT,
InterTradeIreland and the Northern Ireland Chamber
of Commerce assessed business confidence in the
all-island economy and found that companies across
the island remains resilient. In tough economic
times, trading on an all-island basis offers companies
a golden opportunity to expand into new markets
right on their doorstep and our ‘Network and
Getwork’ programme offers SMEs the opportunity
to meet and do business with some of the islands
largest procurement organisations.

4 Chief Executive’s Report

Gina Quin; Minister for Environment, Heritage and
Local Government, John Gormley TD; and Ken
Livingstone, first Mayor of London.

In 2008, we also expanded our International Services

the ‘Enterprise Europe Network’. Through the
Enterprise Europe Network’, this service provides
information and business contacts for SME’s
throughout Europe.

As a membership-based organisation we rely on your

time. This Chamber has a strong and respected voice
because of your involvement. We speak on behalf Brian Goggin, CEO, Bank of Ireland; Paul S Quinn, Buchanan Ingersoll; Gina
Quin, winner of UCD Smurfit School of Business’s outstanding alumnus of
of businesses and look to provide clear opportunity the year award; and Paul Haran, CEO, UCD Smurfit School of Business.
for business development and deepening of your
customer relationships. 

I would also like to thank members of Council,

The Chamber team and I would like to thank you
Executive, committee members and our sponsors
sincerely for getting involved throughout 2008. We
for your invaluable involvement and support over the
strongly urge you to stay in touch with us in 2009
past twelve months.
through our events, briefings or simply by telephone
or visiting our offices. We always want to hear your
Gina Quin
views and are committed to working with you to
Chief Executive
improve the business environment in 2009.

Gina Quin; Declan Lawler, Area Director for Dublin, AIB; Lord Mayor of Dublin,
Cllr Eibhlin Byrne.

Chief Executive’s Report 5

 Council Listing

Council member Title Organisation Attendance

Margaret Sweeney President CEO, Postbank 8 of 8

PJ Timmins Vice President Chief Executive, Clery & Co. 8 of 8
Deputy Vice President & Chair,
Peter Brennan Infrastructure & Transport Committee Managing Director, EPS Consulting 8 of 8
Niall Feely Treasurer Business Markets Director, Eircom plc 8 of 8
Ronan King Immediate Past President Chairman, The Amethyst Group 8 of 8
Chair, Communications & Marketing
Dermot Breen Committee Director - Corporate Affairs, Tesco Ireland 5 of 8
Chair, Business Development
Greg Clarke Committee Managing Director, Digicom Ltd 8 of 8
Pat Maher Chair, International Committee Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland 5 of 8
Cathal Muckian Chair, Special IT Project Director of Business Banking, Bank Of Ireland 5 of 8
Chair, Knowledge Economy
Martin Murphy Committee Managing Director, Hewlett-Packard Ireland Ltd 5 of 8
Imelda Reynolds Chair, Competitive Dublin Committee Partner, Beauchamps Solicitors 8 of 8
 
       
Mazhar Ali Bari CEO STREP Ltd 6 of 8
Tony Boyle President North Dublin Chamber of Commerce 8 of 8
Aidan Brady Country Corporate Officer Citi 2 of 8
Clive Brownlee Partner Praesta Ireland 7 of 8
Grainne Byrne Managing Director gbc Public Relations Ltd 7 of 8
Eibhlin Byrne Lord Mayor of Dublin   4 of 5
David Carson Partner M&A Transaction Services Deloitte 4 of 8
Patrick Coveney CEO Greencore 4 of 8
Sharon Daly Partner Matheson Ormsby Prentice 5 of 8
Desmond Fahey Chief Executive Dublin Business Innovation Centre 8 of 8
Niall Geoghegan CEO Jury’s Inns Group Ltd 5 of 8
Jack Golden Human Resources Director CRH plc 6 of 8
Derry Gray Partner - Consulting BDO Simpson Xavier 6 of 8
Kevin Guerin President JCI 5 of 8
Jacqueline Hall Managing Director Political Communications Limited 7 of 8
Anne Heraty Chief Executive CPL Resources plc 2 of 3
Liam Kavanagh Deputy Managing Director The Irish Times Ltd 7 of 8
Declan Lawler General Manager Dublin Area AIB Group 5 of 8
Tom McAleese Chief Operating Officer Claret Capital 5 of 8
Eugene McCague Chairman Arthur Cox 5 of 8
John McGrane Director - Business Banking Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd 8 of 8
Regina Moran CEO Fujitsu 3 of 3
Denise Moroney Chief Executive Brand Dynamics 6 of 8
Brian Norton President Dublin Institute Of Technology 8 of 8
Joyce O’ Connor Chairperson Digital Hub Development Agency 6 of 8
Director & Head of Business
David O’Halloran Development Willis 7 of 8
Tiarnan O’Mahoney Chief Executive ISTC - International Securities 6 of 8
Billy O’Regan Managing Director Britvic Ireland 3 of 8
David Pierce Director of Sales - Corporate Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd 5 of 8
Michael Somers Chief Executive National Treasury Management Agency 4 of 8
Peter Stapleton Managing Director Lisney 7 of 8
John Tierney City Manager Dublin City Council 4 of 8

6 Council Listing
 Pictorial Review 2008

Dermot Breen – Chairperson

Business After Hours at Bank of Ireland, these events are always a

great opportunity for SME members to network.
Declan Collier, CEO of Dublin Airport Authority, and Charles
Butterworth, CEO of Vodafone Ireland. Both CEOs addressed
Chamber’s members as part of the Business Breakfast series.

Dublin Chamber’s Summer Networking Lunch: Margaret Sweeney,

Dublin Chamber President; Niall Quinn, Chairman of Sunderland
Football Club; Pat Falvey, Irish adventurer and explorer; Gina Quin,
Dublin Chamber Chief Executive.

Before the opening of the first Tiffany’s store in Ireland, Jim Quinn
(left), President of Tiffany & Co., talks with PJ Timmins, Dublin
Chamber Vice-President, at corporate member welcoming event.

Dublin Chamber’s Annual Transport 21

Briefing – speakers included Pat Mangan,
Assistant Secretary in the Department of
Transport; Frank Allen, Chief Executive
of the Railway Procurement Agency; Don
Cunningham, Director of New Works with
Iarnród Éireann; Paddy Doherty, Business
Development Manager in Dublin Bus; Fred
Barry, Chief Executive of the National Roads
Authority; and, Tim Brick, Executive Manager
(Engineering) with Dublin City Council.

Dublin Chamber’s new Networking Lunch gave members the

opportunity to speed network their way through lunch. 

Pictorial Review 2008 7

 Committee Report:
Knowledge Economy
Martin Murphy – Chairperson
Dublin Chamber has brought forward a
vision and an action plan to transform
Dublin into an international Knowledge City
Region. At the beginning of this year, we
launched Developing A Knowledge City
Region: A ten step plan. This report was
focused on four areas which the Chamber
believes would set the foundation for a
Dublin Knowledge City Region by 2012.
These areas of focus were upgrading
the knowledge infrastructure, building
a learning society, bring SMEs into the
knowledge economy, and the promotion
of Dublin’s arrival as a knowledge capital.
The Committee drilled down over the
past year into each of these four areas.
We believe that Ireland’s knowledge infrastructure
needs to set its sights higher than EU averages
in its benchmarks. This year, we presented to
the Minister for Communications on the quickly
growing broadband needs of business. While
we were pleased to note that a number of our
recommendations have been taken on board in
his draft strategy, we emphasised that we were
sceptical that present policy direction will make
businesses more internationally competitive.
At the launch of Developing a Knowledge City Region: A ten step plan, Martin
Murphy, Chair of the Chamber’s Knowledge Economy Committee.
8 Committee Report: Knowledge Economy
In addition to our physical infrastructure, it is
important that our Knowledge Workforce is
world-class. Ireland needs to invest in its future
workers if we are to continue to be an attractive
location for international businesses. Therefore, the
committee spoke out about the issue of ICT in our
schools. We emphasised the need for this issue not
to be allowed to fall between the departmental gaps,
so that our economy and our children can be allowed
to grow to their full potential.
The Committee also focused on developing the
proper environment for businesses for knowledge
entrepreneurs. We believe that through changes in
the treatment of Intellectual Property (IP) that such
an entrepreneurial environment can be facilitated.
Our general principles in need of change were
presented in the Chamber’s Pre-Budget Submission,
which focused on tax rates, tax treatment, R&D tax
credit and double taxation agreements.
Our work to promote the arrival of Dublin as
knowledge capital focused this year on supporting
Dublin’s bid to host the EuroScience Open Forum
in 2012. This bid was a success! This event will
offer Dublin the opportunity to demonstrate our
development in the area of science. The Chamber
will continue to work with the Chief Science Advisor
to ensure that we maximise the potential of this
event.
In addition to this work, we will also monitor
developments and continue to influence key policy
stakeholders to ensure delivery of the Chamber’s ten
step plan.
I would like to thank all the members of the
Committee for their valued contribution, which has
benefitted all Chamber members.
Martin Murphy
Chairperson
 Committee Report:
Competitive Dublin

Dermot
Imelda Breen ––Chairperson
Reynolds Chairperson

Throughout 2008, businesses have faced

many challenges in their operational and
economic environment.  Responding
to the needs of our members, the
‘Competitive Dublin’ committee has
focused its attention on ensuring that
Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive; Minister for
businesses, Government, state agencies, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley TD;
local authorities and education providers Margaret Sweeney, Dublin Chamber President; Imelda Reynolds,
Chair of the Chamber’s Competitive Dublin Committee.
have a clearer understanding of what
assets the Dublin City Region has to
offer international investors and domestic by 3.3%. However, we will continue to pursue our
businesses. Having this knowledge also agenda to stop businesses being used as a financial
helps us identify the areas in which we crutch by local authorities.
need to improve in order to successfully
In 2008 we also called on Central Government
compete with competitor city regions
to broaden the tax base of local authorities. The
internationally.
levy on second homes and investment properties
announced in Budget 2009 is a positive step but it
‘Competitiveness’ is a very broad concept and
is only the beginning. Central Government needs to
covers every policy area (transport infrastructure,
do more and should immediately remove the rates
education, productivity levels, quality of life, the
exemption for state occupied buildings. This would
environment etc.). To ensure the work of the
raise another E30m for Dublin City Council alone.
committee was channelled effectively, we focused
on two principal streams in 2008:
The other stream of work undertaken by the
Governance of the Dublin City Region; and
committee in 2008 was benchmarking Dublin’s
Benchmarking Dublin’s Competitiveness.
competitive position against our international
competitors. Many organisations are carrying out
The issue of ‘governance’ of the Dublin City Region
research on ‘competitiveness’, so our first step was
was high on our agenda as the Department of
to actively engaged with stakeholders – including
Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Forfas and Dublin City Council - to make ourselves
produced a Green Paper on Local Government
and others aware of the body of work that already
Reform in 2008 which outlined the proposal for a
exists or which is currently underway.
Mayor for Dublin. The committee made a written
response to the Green Paper re-enforcing the
The committee is analysing the indicators that have
Chamber’s message that:
been selected by the above bodies, and also the
The financing of local authorities needs to be city regions that have been selected to compare
reviewed in order to reduce the burden on the Dublin against. We are feeding back into the process
business community as one of the primary through surveys and making recommendations on
sources of funding for local authorities; and the effectiveness of these selections so that the
findings coming out of the research are relevant and
The need to improve the management
can be utilized to improve our competitiveness.
structure of the Dublin City Region to increase
accountability and responsibility for delivery of
The committee has worked tirelessly on your behalf
services, the identification of efficiencies and cost
throughout 2008 to promote the Dublin City Region
savings, and having a single, accountable person
as an attractive and competitive location. I would
responsible for championing the city region.
like to extend a special thank you each member of
the committee for their energy, commitment and
The committee followed this submission with
contribution over the past year.
a letter to the Manager of Dublin City Council
highlighting the importance of cost competitiveness
Imelda Reynolds
for businesses. We strongly urged the City Council
Chairperson
not to increase commercial rates or water charges in
2009, as increasing these will negatively impact on
jobs and investment during these challenging times.
Regrettably, commercial rates were increased

Committee Report: Competitive Dublin 9

 Committee Report:
Infrastructure and Transport
Peter Brennan – Chairperson
2008 was a busy year for the
‘Infrastructure and Transport’ Committee
with many key Transport 21 projects
coming on stream (the Parkwest and
Clondalkin railway stations were opened)
and others in construction (M50, LUAS
lines, the Macken Street Bridge, Terminal
2 at the airport and Irish Rail projects).
The most important development was
the RPA’s application for a Railway Order
for the Metro North project. Several
studies are underway, including Indecon’s
‘Strategic Review of Dublin Port and
its Future’, while others, including an
assessment of the efficiency of Dublin
Bus, have been completed.
Addressing our transport infrastructure deficit has
long been identified as a key issue for the members
of Dublin Chamber. The Dublin City Region has a
chronic transport problem that affects our future
viability as a world class, competitive and attractive
location for jobs and investment. Three years ago,
Dublin Chamber welcomed the announcement of
Transport 21, but raised concerns about whether
such an ambitious programme would be delivered.
“Delivery, Delivery, Delivery!” was our cry. Now that
much of the programme is underway, it’s all about
capacity and integrated solutions. Commuters and
shoppers need real alternatives for getting around
and into the city. We need better roads around the
city and a more frequent, reliable and affordable rail
and bus service.
So in 2008, the Committee focused its attention
on ensuring that Transport 21 projects will be
implemented in the City Region in an effective way
that results in minimal disruption to businesses
across the city. We want the construction phases for
the Metro, the DART Interconnector and the Luas
BX/D line to be as short as possible and certainly not
eight years as has been suggested. This will require
that specific mitigation measures are put in place
to address the concerns of business; that traffic
management is agreed in broad principle with the
Dublin business community; and most importantly,
that all city centre car parks are kept open.
The key message is that Dublin must remain
open for business. We have comprehensively
communicated our concerns to the Minister for
Transport, the transport agencies, Dublin City
Council, an Garda Síochána and the Joint Oireachtas
Committee on Transport on numerous occasions and
at very many forums throughout 2008.
10 Committee Report: Infrastructure and Transport
Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive; Minister for
Transport, Noel Dempsey TD; Peter Brennan, Chair of the
Chamber’s Transport & Infrastructure Committee; and
Aebhric McGibney, Dublin Chamber Director of Policy.
On the third anniversary of the Transport 21 project
we hosted our annual breakfast briefing where
the panel from the transport agencies presented
progress achieved in 2008 and plans for 2009. We
were pleased to hear from Pat Mangan, Assistant
Secretary in the Department of Transport, that
although Government is working within a tighter
budget in 2009, they had prioritised the building of
greater capacity in public transport over the coming
year with a budget of E2,375 million.
However, the Committee is not at all happy with the
lack of progress in establishing the Dublin Transport
Authority, not least because the enabling legislation
has already been enacted. We need a properly
funded, powerful DTA to coordinate all the projects
planned in the Greater Dublin Area (in particular
traffic management); to drive the introduction of
an Integrated Ticketing System; and to define the
City Region’s long-term transport strategy. As the
Department of Finance has approved a headcount,
we have urged the Minister of Transport to appoint
an interim Board and an acting Chairman/CEO
so that the DTA can become operational, as was
promised, in January 2009. Postponing the setting
up of the DTA until late 2009 makes no sense
whatsoever.
The biggest challenge facing the Dublin business
community for the foreseeable future will be
managing the pain as construction on the major
light rail/rail projects get underway. We accept the
principle that many parts of the city will become
pedestrianised and/or public transport only during
and on completion of Metro North. However, we
shall continue to insist that all shoppers who wish
to travel by car continue to be able to access all city
centre car parks, the 200,000 staff that commute to
work in the city centre are fully accommodated, and
that each business in the city has full access to their
building for their deliveries, clients and customers.
I would like to pay special thanks to each Committee
member for their valuable contributions and
participation throughout 2008. In addition, I would
like to thank all the public servants who have been
most generous with their time in working with us
throughout the year.
Peter Brennan
Chairperson
 Committee Report:
Marketing and Communications

Dermot Breen – Chairperson

Dublin Chamber represents the Dublin
business community, and speaks out for
it. Over the course of 2008, the Marketing
& Communication Committee has helped
to ensure that voice of Dublin business
was loud and clear.
The Committee has undertaken to change the
way the Chamber is seen and heard, by both you
and external stakeholders. I would like to thank
each of the members of the Committee for their
commitment and support during a very busy year for
the Marketing & Communication Committee.

Dermot Breen
Our 2008 Communications Strategy’s objectives
Chairperson
were to increase the strength of our voice on
policy issues, recognition of the Chamber amongst
non-members, and knowledge of the Chamber’s
offerings to existing members.

The first of these objectives was achieved through

a focus on five key policy issues – T21 projects in
Dublin, local government reform, Dublin’s transport
system, broadband, and the Lisbon Treaty. However,
as the recession loomed over the second half of the
year, the Chamber quickly amended its strategy to
address the new business environment. We spoke
out on the core business issues, such as consumer
confidence and public sector costs.

The Chamber delivered on this strategy, which

ensured your voice was heard during economic
tectonic shifts of 2008. During this period, the
Chamber increased media coverage by 40 per cent
compared to the previous year. In addition, the
Committee reviewed and recommended ways in
which the Chamber could strengthen its relations
with key stakeholders, including Ministers, local TDs,
key Civil Servants, Local Government, media, and
Chamber Members. Through working with these
influencers your voice has been turned to action, as
was seen in changes to the Finance Bill.

The Committee has also contributed to the

longer term approach of the Chamber to our
communications. It examined how the Chamber
could convert non-members to new members
through this increased media and marketing
coverage. This contribution will be articulated in the
Chamber’s new strategy in early 2009.

In 2009, the Chamber will also be launching a new

extra-net site for members. This site will make it
quicker and easier for members to interact with the
Chamber. Whether you are registering for events,
updating your company’s information, or just
browsing around the document centre this secure
site will offer 24 hour personalised user experience
with instant confirmation of all your requests.

Committee Report: Marketing and Communications 11

 Committee Report:
Business Development

Greg Clarke – Chairperson

In 2008 the Business Development

Committee examined the needs of Dublin
Chamber members and focused on Business Banking

adding value to membership. The main

areas the Committee concentrated on
were sales, new methods of payment
for members and adding more value to
sponsors.

In order to remain dynamic and effective, a top

priority for the Business Development committee
was to advise on how to add greater value to
businesses that support the Chamber in terms of
sponsorship. The supporting companies opposite
are testament to the Dublin Chamber’s strong
active membership. These companies continue to
profile their brands through our high level events
programme.

The Committee also worked to devise a sales and

retention plan which would look closely at member Irish Blood
Transfusion Service
needs and produce extra efficiencies in current Seirbhís Fuilaistriúcháin na hÉireann

services. The sales department was expanded

early in 2008 to grow the membership to ensure
continued diversity and more opportunities for Irish Blood
Transfusion Service
networking! Our forthcoming online system and Seirbhís Fuilaistriúcháin na hÉireann

members-only extranet will give businesses new

ways to interact and allow online booking for
Irish Blood
our events programme, room-hire services and Transfusion Service
international trade series. Seirbhís Fuilaistriúcháin na hÉireann

In keeping with our online strategy in 2008 Dublin Irish Blood

Transfusion Service
Chamber also went live with a facility to allow Seirbhís Fuilaistriúcháin na hÉireann

exporters to process their EC Certificates of origin

on-line. This system will deliver significant savings in
both time and money for export customers.

The Dublin Chamber would like to thank the

Committee members – Niall Feely of eircom, John
McGrane, David McArdle, Paula Brady of Ulster Bank
and Derry Gray of BDO Simpson.

A big thank you to the following sponsors for

supporting us in 2008!

Greg Clarke
Chairperson

12 Committee Report: Business Development


Working with International Chambers of
Commerce, embassies and other business
organisations both worldwide and locally the
International Department offers members
valuable and unique opportunities to access
a global network to expand and develop
their business.
Highlights of 2008 included a high-level Business
Mission in April to Brussels, involving a busy
programme of information and networking events
including meetings with Secretary-General of
the European Commission, Catherine Day and
Commissioner Charlie McCreevy. Missions offer
participants an effective and efficient way of identifying
new international business opportunities and acquiring
knowledge and connections critical to success.
Incoming delegations included meetings with Consular
representatives from Britain, Kenya, Bulgaria, Thailand,
Malaysia, Norway, Canada and India to name but a
few. This year we had the pleasure of welcoming
the President of Estonia on his state visit to Ireland
in conjunction to hosting a business event for the
delegation. Such meetings and events offer an ideal
forum for the exchange of ideas and contacts which
aim to develop long term business relationship.
As partners in the Hong Kong Business Forum and
the Ireland India Business Association, we organised
a number of key events including the launch of the
Ireland India Business Association and the Chinese
New Year Luncheon.
The International programme also encompasses events
which focus on providing members with relevant
information on chosen markets worldwide. One such
event was organised on the occasion of the visit by a
delegation from our Sister City, San José, California.
Designed to engage business, policy makers and
Brussels Business Mission delegation meets with EU
Commissioner for Internal Market, Charlie McCreevy.
Committee Report:
International
Pat Maher – Chairperson
decision makers, this seminar debated the importance
of promoting Dublin as a location for Foreign Direct
Investment to secure Ireland’s competitiveness. A
key event of 2008 was the Embassy Networking
Evening hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs
in conjunction with the International Department.
Welcomed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál
Martin TD, Irish business leaders were offered a unique
networking opportunity with Embassy officials from
around the world.
Each year we look at how we can expand and improve
the services of the International Department. To further
assist businesses, we now offer an extended support
programme to business. In partnership with Enterprise
Ireland and other leading Chambers, the Dublin
Chamber recently launched the Enterprise Europe
Network. Established by the European Commission,
the network aims to address the business needs of
SMEs.
Also launched in 2008 was a new phase of the
Network and Getwork Programme in collaboration Tim Kaine, U.S. Governor of Virginia
with InterTradeIreland, Northern Ireland Chamber of and recently appointed Chairman
of Democratic National Committee,
Commerce and leading chambers around the country to addresses attendees of an
facilitate trade across the whole island of Ireland. This is international department briefing.
an exciting chance for SMEs to expand their business.
Both the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and
Network and Getwork offer companies a chance to
quickly find new business partnerships, innovative new
solutions and increase trade.
Finally, I would personally like to thank the members of
the committee who volunteered their time and energy
during 2008.
Pat Maher
Chairperson
Committee Report: International 13
 Accounts

Consolidated Income and Expenditure Account

Year Ended 31 October 2008

14 Accounts
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Dermot Breen – Chairperson

Year Ended 31 October 2008

Accounts 15
 Staff Listing

Peter Brennan – Chairperson

Gina Quin Sandra Farrell Ruth Edwards Michelle Berry Joanne Doran Kay Gibbons
Chief Executive PA to Chief Executive Receiptionist/Administratrion Finance Manager Finance Assistant Credit Controller

Aebhric McGibney Patrick King Catherine McCabe Jean Hoey Aideen Ryan Donal Milton
Director of Policy and Policy and Communications Policy and Communications Director of Business Membership Development Membership Development
Communications Manager Executive Development Manager

Linda McNulty Sam Bowman Cora Pfafferott Ciara Duncan Marie Walsh Bernadette Carton
International and Special Project Facilitator - Network Enterprise Europe Events Manager Events Executive Housekeeper
Projects Manager & Getwork Programme Network Executive

Richard Brown Ruth Spain

Export Services Manager Export Services Executive

16 Staff Listing
As an Island nation, ports are of huge importance to the Irish economy.
As Ireland’s largest port, Dublin Port is at the very heart of the Irish
economy facilitating the import and export of over two thirds of all
containerised trade to and from this country.

Dublin Port is also a significant gateway for tourism revenue, handling over
1.3 million ferry and cruise passangers each year.

Dublin Port Company, Port Centre, Alexandra Road, Dublin 1.

Tel: + 353 1 887 6000 Fax: + 353 1 855 7400 Email: info@dublinport.ie

www.dublinport.ie
 Annual Report 2008

Dublin Chamber of Commerce Delivering for Dublin:

7 Clare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Connecting Business, Influencing Decisions
T +353 (0)1 644 7200
F +353 (0)1 676 6043
W www.dublinchamber.ie
E info@dublinchamber.ie