Dublin Chamber Of Commerce Annual Report 2007

Delivering Infrastructure | Competitiveness | Knowledge

2007 Annual Report

This is the new Pier D boarding gate facility at Dublin Airport. The construction of Pier D is part of a €2 billion investment programme by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) in new and improved facilities. During 2007, as part of the Transforming Dublin Airport programme, the DAA invested €250 million on a wide range of projects to expand, improve and modernise Dublin Airport. Pier D and Area 14 were delivered and construction work started on T2, which will open in April 2010. This year we will spend a further €450 million as we make additional improvements to your airport.

1 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Annual Report 2007

Contents President’s Address

2

Chief Executive’s Report

4

Council Listing

6

2007 Pictorial Review

7

Committee Report - Knowledge Economy

8

Committee Report - Competitive Dublin

9

Committee Report - Infrastructure

10

Committee Report - Communications

11

Committee Report - Business Development

12

Committee Report - International

13

Accounts

14

Staff Listing

16

President’s Address

Ronan King, Chairman, The Amethyst Group In February 2007, I committed to pursuing the questions which needed to be addressed urgently if we are to avoid the mistakes of the past and optimise the massive investment proposed in the National Development Plan and Transport 21.

make the essential decisions and commitments required. It is collective vision and self-belief that will realise the Chamber’s vision of a Dublin City Region in 2020 that works, that is efficient – and that we can all be proud to call home.

Hence the key policy focus of the Dublin Chamber during our 2007 interactions and communications with Departments, agencies and political parties was Delivery! - delivery of transport, socio-economic and knowledge infrastructure to enable the Dublin City Region to compete and achieve its true potential in the global economy. The Dublin business community pays for Dublin; we want to see implementation and ownership of the issues: not hollow promises, flexible deadlines and decision-making paralysis.

Two essential commitments to transform the City Region are a radical revamp of the local governance system and an overhaul of the existing planning process.

Dublin Chamber engaged proactively on your behalf with public servants to achieve common ambitions, and equally to hold them to public scrutiny in terms of efficiency and accountability. While some moderation in the rate of economic growth is expected in 2008, there are real grounds for optimism if all stakeholders are willing to Dublin Chamber President, Ronan King, and President of North Dublin Chamber, Tony Boyle, signed a strategic alliance between the two Chambers.

Dublin and Beijing Chambers signed a Memo of Understanding.

For many years we have sought a new office of directly-elected Mayor for Dublin, with executive powers. In the Programme for Government, this priority has been promised by 2011. In October we brought Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley – former Mayor of Baltimore – to Dublin to enlighten our members and Ministers on how he transformed an ailing city in six years by replacing “the politics of patronage with the politics of performance”. We made a detailed submission on the Green Paper on Local Government seeking fundamental reform of outmoded systems of governance and financing. In 2008, we are submitting a policy paper on our planning system which focuses on the challenges facing the business community and considers what lessons may be learned, and what initiatives may be taken, to improve the Irish system based on an examination of how other jurisdictions manage land use and development. We believe that a fundamental re-think of our approach to planning is needed to allow companies wishing to locate or expand in the state to receive a timely decision and a level of consistency, clarity and certainty. Furthermore, we must address the existing planning chaos to ensure that the provision of infrastructure vital for business - transport, telecommunications, waste management, conference centres – is more timely and efficient. Transportation is by far and away the top infrastructure challenge facing Dublin. As the area most important in attracting economic investment to the City Region, it is the key to unlocking our growth potential.

DELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE | COMPETITIVENESS | KNOWLEDGE

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Once again in November, we marked the anniversary of Transport 21 with a seminar to discuss the current status and progress of T21 with the Department and the agencies responsible for its delivery. Given the number of projects to be delivered and the existing level of uncertainty surrounding the construction of these projects, we called on those present to eliminate all ambiguity and offer businesses and the general public a guarantee that the city centre will not be ripped up for the construction of one project, repaired and then re-disrupted for the construction of another piece of the T21 puzzle. ‘Big Dig’; thus we demanded that a detailed implementation plan for T21 be publicly available, which includes a clear timetable for delivery of each project and a proper traffic management plan for the city. Business should only accept the period of disruption ahead based on a clear roadmap of how the works affecting the city will be delivered. The period of transformation ahead will be successful if each stakeholder takes ownership of the issues. During the Chamber’s trade mission to New York, I was particularly impressed by Mayor Bloomberg’s plans to address the key issues impacting on the quality of life in the city by calling all agencies to account. His approach of “knocking heads together” to ensure real delivery by agencies against specific milestones must be duplicated in Dublin if we are to achieve real and sustainable change. I would like to sincerely thank the Council, Executive, staff and each of you for your support during my Presidency. Dublin Chamber will continue to be the ‘voice of Dublin business’ and work on your behalf to ensure that the economic environment in which you operate is supporting your business’ growth. We soldiered on after falling foul of the Broadcasting Commission in the run-up to the Election, and we shall continue to persevere into the future to ensure that the Dublin City Region is a great place in which to do business, live, work and visit. Ronan King President

Pat and John Hume were presented with a life time achievement award by Dublin Chamber President Ronan King at the President’s Dinner. Pat Hume; Ronan King, Dublin Chamber President; John Hume; Declan Lawler, Area Director for Dublin, AIB; Martin O’Malley, Governor of Maryland; and Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive.

John Tierney, Dublin City Manager, Jim Glennon TD, and Ronan King, Dublin Chamber President, discuss the art of effective lobbying.

An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD; Liam O’Mahony, Group Chief Executive, CRH; and Ronan King, Dublin Chamber President.

Eamon Ryan TD (Green Party), Richard Bruton TD (Fine Gael), Mary Lou McDonald MEP (Sinn Féin), Cllr. Oisín Quinn (Labour Party), Ronan King (Dublin Chamber President), Sean Ardagh TD (Fianna Fáil) and Liz O’Donnell TD (Progressive Democrats).

Dublin Chamber’s Presidents of the 21st Century: Alfie Kane (2001); David Pierce (2004); Ronan King (2007); Aine Maria Mizzoni (2005); Eugene McCague (2006); Clive Brownlee (2003); Peter Webster (2002).

Chief Executive’s Report

Gina Quin, Chief Executive 2007 has been another outstanding year for Dublin Chamber. The support of our members and the dedication of all our staff have ensured that our service offering to members has continued to improve, and our position as the ‘voice of Dublin business’ strengthened. Our three year strategy to increase membership remains on track with more businesses joining your Chamber over the past twelve months. Once again our events team put together an excellent programme offering members the opportunity to hear from an extensive list of prominent political, business and celebrity guest speakers including Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD, Minister Dermot Ahern TD, Minister Launching a new All-Island Business Monitor collaboration Liam Nellis, Chief Executive InterTradeIreland; Frank Hewitt, Chief Executive Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Anne O’Leary, Managing Director of BT Business; Gina Quin, Chief Executive Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

Noel Dempsey TD, Governor Martin O’Malley, Liam O’Mahony, David Riddiford, Steve Cowman, Laurence Crowley, Sean Dorgan, John Herlihy, Martin Murphy, John McElligott, Sean O’Driscoll, Tony Keohane, Eddie O’Sullivan and Dara O’Briain amongst others. Guided by our vision - Imagine Dublin 2020 - to transform Dublin by 2020 into a well-governed,

DELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE | COMPETITIVENESS | KNOWLEDGE

highly Competitive, European knowledge city, we advanced our policy positions in the areas of ‘Competitiveness’, ‘Infrastructure’ and ‘Knowledge’ through our member committees. City regions, such as the Greater Dublin Area, are now the units by which competition for investment and jobs occurs internationally. In advance of Election 2007 we campaigned extensively to place the needs of the Dublin City Region on top of the agenda of each political party. Our Budget 2008 submission, our input into the Department of Transport’s Statement of Strategy 2008-2010 and our submission into the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government’s Green Paper on Local Government Reform all reinforced the message that it is the competitive performance of the Dublin City Region which will ensure the continued economic success of the whole country. In a recent report, the OECD highlighted that whilst national governments set many of the framework conditions affecting the business environment, local governance is also a key factor in global competitiveness. Globalisation is increasingly testing the abilities of regional authorities and is forcing them to rethink their strategies. A priority for Dublin Chamber in 2007 was the call for an improvement in the governance of the City Region as a whole. Since 2000 we have asked Government for a Greater Dublin Area Authority, under the guidance of a directly elected Mayor, to improve the management structure of the Dublin City Region and promote enhanced leadership and accountability. We were pleased to see the commitment in the recent Programme for Government to have a directly elected Mayor for Dublin by 2011. Our submission into Minister Gormley’s office - Democracy Now! - outlined our belief that the elected Dublin Mayor should report to a directly-elected Assembly along the lines of the Greater London Authority, that the Mayor should introduce a performance and output

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monitoring system in order to We advanced our policy positions in the drive efficiencies at regional areas of ‘Competitiveness’, ‘Infrastructure’ level, and that the creation of the office of Mayor should and ‘Knowledge’ through our member coincide with a change in committees the administration of taxes to create a direct linkage between local service usage/benefits and local taxes. Throughout 2008 we will continue to engage with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on your behalf to drive this critically important agenda item forward. I would like to thank all members of Council, Executive, our sponsors, committee members and all our member companies, for your invaluable involvement and support over the past twelve months. As a membership-based organisation we rely on your time and effort to help us successfully connect businesses and influence decision makers. It was through your active participation that 2007 was another successful year for the Dublin Chamber.

During a ‘Connect Ethiopia’ trip, an initiative to create trade links between Ireland and Ethiopia, PJ Timmins, Chief Executive of Clery & Co., and Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive, met with President Eyessus Zafu (centre) and Executives of Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce

I look forward to your continued participation and support in 2008. Gina Quin Chief Executive All documents published by the Chamber are available for download at www.dublinchamber.ie

Dublin Chamber engaged with the Government to discuss the future governance of the City Region. Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive; Minister John Gormley TD; Declan Lawler, Area Director for Dublin, AIB; Governor Martin O’Malley; Ronan King, Dublin Chamber President; and PJ Timmins, Chair of Dublin Chamber’s Infrastructure Committee.

Looking over developing the Docklands Andrew Quinn, Partner A&L Goodbody, and Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive

Gina Quin, CEO, Dublin Chamber of Commerce; Michael Patten, Director Corporate Relations, Diageo Ireland; and Margaret Sweeney, Vice President, Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

Council Listing Council member

Title & Organisation

Council Meetings Attended

Ronan King (President) Margaret Sweeney (Vice President) PJ Timmins (Deputy Vice President) Patrick Coveney (Honorary Treasurer) Eugene McCague (Immediate Past President) Peter Brennan (Chair Competitive Dublin) Greg Clarke (Chair Business Development) Martin Murphy (Chair Knowledge Economy) Imelda Reynolds (Chair Communications) Cathal Muckian (Chair Special IT Project)

Chairman, The Amethyst Group Chief Executive, Postbank Chief Executive, Clery & Co. (1941) p.l.c. Chief Executive, Greencore Chairman, Arthur Cox Managing Director, EPS Consulting Managing Director, Digicom Managing Director, Hewlett-Packard Ireland Managing Partner, Beauchamps Solicitors Director, Business Banking, Bank Of Ireland

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Cllr. Paddy Burke Dr Mazhar Ali Bari Peter Butler Aidan Brady Dermot Breen Clive Brownleee Gráinne Byrne David Carson Des Fahey Niall Geoghegan Jack Golden Jacqueline Hall Liam Kavanagh John Kelly Declan Lawler Pat Maher Tom McAleese Sharen McCabe Áine Maria Mizzoni Denise Moroney Professor Brian Norton Frank O’Connell Professor Joyce O’Connor David O’Halloran Tiarnan O’Mahoney Billy O’Regan David Pierce Dr. Michael J Somers Liam Quirke Peter Stapleton John Tierney Peter Webster

Lord Mayor of Dublin CEO, STREP President, JCI Dublin Country Corporate Officer of Ireland, Citi Director, Corporate Affairs, Tesco Ireland Chairman, Dublin Convention Bureau Managing Director, gbc Public Relations Ltd Partner – M&A Transaction Services, Deloitte & Touche Chief Executive, Dublin Business Innovation Centre Chief Executive Officer, Jury’s Doyle Hotel Group Human Resources Director, CRH plc Managing Director, Political Communications Limited Deputy Managing Director, The Irish Times Head of Consumer Strategy, AIB Group Area Director for Dublin, AIB Group Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland Managing Director, Barclays Bank Ireland PLC Chief Executive, McCabes Pharmacy Managing Partner, Guardiano del Faro Chief Executive, Brand Dynamics President, Dublin Institute Of Technology Director - Retail, Dublin Airport Authority Chairperson, Digital Hub Development Agency Business Developement Director, Coyle Hamilton Willis Chief Executive, International Securities Trading Coporation Managing Director, Britvic Ireland Head of Inward Investment, Ulster Bank Group Centre Chief Executive, National Treasury Management Agency Managing Partner, Matheson Ormsby Prentice Managing Director, Lisney City Manager, Dublin City Council Chairman, Image Now

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DELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE | COMPETITIVENESS | KNOWLEDGE

2007 Pictorial Review

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Mason Hayes & Curran host a Business After Hours event at their new offices. These events offer excellent networking opportunities between members.

Clive Brownlee, Chairman Ireland Hong Kong Business Forum (left), officiated over the celebration of the Year of the Pig at the annual Chinese New Year Lunch. Those pictured above include Noel Treacy TD, Minister of State, Duncan Pescod, Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Communities, and Margaret Sweeney, VicePresident Dublin Chamber.

Business category members listen to Martin Murphy, Managing Director for HP Ireland, at one of the Chamber’s Lunches in Camera.

Eddie O’Sullivan, Head Coach of the Irish Rugby Team, speaking at 2007 Sporting Lunch.

The Irish Times Living Dublin Awards 2007 with overall winners Centre for Academic Achievement. Bronagh Duffy, from the Centre; Lord Mayor of Dublin Paddy Bourke; Eleanor Cooke, from the Centre; Ronan King, Dublin Chamber of Commerce President; Maeve Donavan, Managing Director of The Irish Times; and Colin O’Reilly, from the Centre.

In its inaugural year, Dublin Chamber Golf Society members Tadhg O’Sullivan, OSK, Scott Diamond, Marsh, and Jimmy Dolan, OSK, enjoy a round of golf at the Royal Dublin Golf Club. Business Breakfasts, such as that with Ann Heraty (centre), Chief Executive of CPL, give our members the opportunity to meet with and listen to high profile business speakers. Pictured with Gary Ryan, Energia’s Sales and Marketing Director, and PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber Deputy Vice-President.

Committee Report: Knowledge Economy Martin Murphy, Managing Director, HP Ireland In its 2020 vision for Dublin, the Dublin Chamber pictures a knowledge city region which will generate, attract and retain a highly skilled and creative workforce driving our future economic success. Using the Chamber’s vision document as a guide, the Knowledge Economy Committee was established to make practical recommendations ...creating a thriving to Government on developing knowledge economy in the Dublin as a Knowledge City and uniquely draws its membership Dublin City Region from both the business community of the City Region’s growing knowledge industry and Dublin’s higher education institutions. In its second year, the Committee has focused on the completion of a policy paper which will shape the Chamber’s approach to creating a thriving knowledge economy in the Dublin City Region. In formulating the paper, the group reviewed the significant body of existing policy strategies produced by Government and other organisations aimed at creating and supporting a knowledge economy. From this analysis the Committee concluded that, while these strategies captured the essence of what a knowledge economy would be composed of, several gaps in the implementation and realisation of these goals existed. Therefore, the Committee’s policy recommendations focused on practical goals that can be achieved within the next five years that would truly make an impact on achieving this vision. The Committee focused on four key areas in developing its recommendation – learning, ICT infrastructure, SME enablement, and showcasing Dublin as a knowledge capital. We believe that the knowledge economy will not and cannot be exclusively maintained by high-technology firms. If the Dublin City Region is to be a successful knowledge city region it will need to have a balanced eco-system, with companies

DELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE | COMPETITIVENESS | KNOWLEDGE

recruiting from a world class workforce enabled by the tools they need - both infrastructural and intellectual – that keep them internationally competitive and dynamic. This paper, entitled Developing a Knowledge City Region: A Ten Point Plan, was launched at the beginning of 2008 and it has been distributed to members and key influencers. We have started the process of lobbying for change and the Committee will continue to see that this agenda stays in the sights of all stakeholders. The Committee is also in the process of examining some proposals for changes to the Irish intellectual property environment, which when coupled with improvements to our knowledge infrastructure would improve the attraction of Dublin as an R&D destination. Through the Chamber’s events series Dublin Chamber members have been hearing from the senior managers of the region’s leading knowledge companies, which has included eBay, Citi, Hewlett-Packard, Wyeth, and Google. These events offer members insight into the best practices of these top businesses in adapting to a knowledge economy. During the past year we have been privileged to gain from a wealth of knowledge from those who have shared their understanding with us during the policy formulation process. I wish to thank all these external contributors from various agencies, departments and companies for their valued contribution. I would also like to extend a special thank you to each member of the Committee for their commitment and dedication over the past year.

Martin Murphy Chairperson

Committee Report: Competitive Dublin

During the course of 2007, the Competitive Dublin committee identified the factors that determine the competitive position of the Dublin City Region and the quality of life indicators for the capital’s citizens. As the engine of growth for the whole economy and the only city region in Ireland of sufficient size to compete on a global basis, we believe that the special role the Dublin City Region plays in national development is not adequately recognised in the overall debate about national competitiveness. Our key objective therefore for 2007 was to inform senior policy-makers about the challenges facing Dublin and to ensure that they all recognised that in the global market for investment and knowledge workers, it is city regions, and not nation states, that compete for foreign direct investment. In light of presentations from Dr. Thornhill, Chairman of the National Competitiveness Council, and Sean Gorman, Secretary General, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the committee produced a preliminary report entitled Benchmarking the Dublin City Region’s Competitiveness with Reference to International Benchmarks. The aim of this paper was to define, on the basis of evidence-based research, the key challenges facing the Dublin City Region, against which the actions of Government, both national and local, could be benchmarked. The committee carried out and then reviewed a competitiveness audit for the City Region, beginning the processing of comparing Dublin’s performance with reference to global competitiveness indicators. The preliminary findings which emerged are unsettling. Ongoing challenges include the high cost of living, rising business costs, and poor infrastructure and poor quality of life indicators. Dublin is unfortunately performing below its potential when compared to competitor city regions. The Competitive Dublin committee strengthened its collaboration and cooperation with Dublin City

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Council during the year. As essential business partners with a shared vision for Dublin and its economic and social development, we will continue this positive engagement in the course of 2008. We believe that it is important to synchronise with, and input into, the work being conducted by Dublin City Council regarding city benchmarking. The committee is fully aware that no one benefits from Dublin being branded internationally with a reputation as an expensive place to live, visit and do business in. In the light of the preliminary findings of the Chamber’s city region competitive study we will now engage with all stakeholders to address the issues that once tackled will significantly improve the fortunes of the Dublin City Region and the quality of life of its citizens.

Peter Brennan, Managing Director, EPS Consulting

I would like to thank each committee member for their valuable contributions and participation throughout 2007.

Peter Brennan Chairperson

“Vote for Delivery!” Dublin Chamber President, Ronan King, and Chief Executive, Gina Quin, led the Chamber’s campaign to focus voters’ attention on delivery to keep Dublin internationally competitive.

Committee Report: Intrastructure

PJ Timmins, Chief Executive, Clery & Co. Plc With Transport 21 now steadily into its stride, and the holding of a General Election in May, the ‘Infrastructure’ committee worked intensively throughout 2007 to ensure that our message of SWIFT DELIVERY of transport infrastructure in the Dublin City Region was heard clearly by all political parties, Dublin City Council and all the transportation agencies - Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, the National Roads Authority and the Railway Procurement Agency. When Transport 21 was unveiled in 2005 Dublin Chamber welcomed and supported this capital investment framework. However, with a continuously increasing population in the Dublin City Region placing greater demands on the existing inadequate infrastructure stock and transport projects being seriously delayed and fitted retrospectively in an ever evolving capital city, businesses and residents are suffering massively. Speaking at Dublin Chamber’s annual Transport 21 Briefing was Michael Phillips, Dublin City Council’s Director of Traffic, Dick Fearn, CEO of Iarnrod Eireann; Frank Allen, CEO of RPA, Joe Meagher, CEO of Dublin Bus, and Fred Barry, CEO of NRA, with Ronan King, Dublin Chamber President, and Gina Quin, CEO, Dublin Chamber (centre).

The committee strongly believes that the current lack of a detailed implementation plan for Transport 21 in the City Region must be attend to, if Dublin wishes to remain an attractive investment location for business and residential location for workers. We want to see specific milestones for T21, against which delivery can be assessed, made publically available and also for a detailed traffic management plan to be put in place to prevent the city grinding to a halt during construction of projects.

DELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE | COMPETITIVENESS | KNOWLEDGE

Accordingly, our submission into the Department of Transport’s Statement of Strategy 2008-2010 called on the Department to lead the way in getting proper planned development in the Dublin City Region by producing a specific comprehensive strategy for transport development, which would take account of Transport 21 but also look ahead to 2050. The committee wants this long term strategy to have three key priorities- the swift delivery of transport infrastructure within the Dublin City Region; the application of best practice approaches during the construction of projects to minimise economic disruption; and the complete integration of planning and land use. This last priority was a clear focus of the committee in 2007. We want to see significant improvements made to the planning system and the implementation of decisions, as the current delays, bureaucracy and uncertainties are detrimental to business development. We began the process of engaging with an external consultant to review the existing planning system and to produce an informed discussion document focusing on the challenges facing the business community in the Dublin City Region. We hope this piece of work will offer ‘valueadded’ and ensure that in the future the Dublin City Region has the port and airport facilities, and the road, rail and bus networks, necessary to place it - by 2020 - into the top quartile internationally for transport. This Chamber vision for transport in the Dublin City Region would not have been realised without the assiduous work of each committee member. Their contribution throughout 2007 was invaluable to the development of Chamber transport and infrastructure policy and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each one of them sincerely for their input and support during the year. PJ Timmins Chairperson

Committee Report: Communications

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Dublin Chamber of Commerce is the ‘Voice of Dublin Business’ and this year the Communications Committee has been working hard to ensure that voice was heard loud and clear.

publications covered a series of Dublin Chamber press releases which developed in detail the business demands contained in Dublin Business Priorities.

The central focus of this year’s work was the General Election. A special committee, consisting of the members of Communications Committee, as well as former, current and future Dublin Chamber Presidents, worked to ensure that the priorities for Dublin business in the election were articulated strongly.

In addition to contributing to the Election campaign, the Communications Committee has sought to improve the manner in which the Chamber communicates, through reviewing and fine-tuning how its messages are delivered to members and key influencers. For example, a review of the Chamber’s policy tracker, which provides a comprehensive overview on all policy areas, has resulted in it being more reader friendly. For example, members can follow how the Chamber succeeded in having the issue of a Mayor for Dublin included in the Agreed Programme for Government.

Our key messages for the parties aspiring to govern were elicited both from a member survey and from the Chamber Policy Committees, following which they were agreed by Council. These priorities were presented using the three key messages of Dublin Chamber – the need for improved competitiveness, the imperative for improved infrastructure and the requirement to develop a knowledge economy – which the Communication Committee has integrated over the last year into all Chamber policy communications. The launch of Dublin Business Priorities: General Election 2007 received significant coverage in the print, radio and web media. The campaign also targeted the key influencers of the major political parties with a Chamber delegation, led by the President, meeting to discuss their party’s Dublin agenda. To bring our message and the parties’ answers back to our members, the Chamber held a public forum with representatives of six political parties, entitled ‘The Dublin Debate’. Also, using the Dublin Chamber website, we engaged further with members through a variety of pages which focused on the Election and generated supporting material for member action that reinforced the Dublin Business Priorities. We continued to ensure that the Chamber’s message, especially during the Election campaign, was consistently communicated through our publications - Business Ireland, the Dublin Business newsletter, and the e-zine. These

The Communications Committee has also started to look ahead to 2008, and is co-ordinating a campaign designed to strengthen recognition amongst members, the general Dublin business community, and key influencers, of the success that Dublin Chamber of Commerce achieves in connecting business and influencing decisions. Since 2005 the Chamber has sought to change the way it is seen and heard. I would like to thank each of the members of the Committee and the General Election Committee for their commitment and dedication during a very busy year for the Communications Committee. Imelda Reynolds Chairperson

Imelda Reynolds, Managing Partner, Beauchamps Solicitors

Committee Report: Business Development Greg Clarke, Managing Director, Digicom

Throughout 2007, the Business Development Committee examined the needs of Dublin Chamber members and focused on improving its services offering. The main areas the committee concentrated on included strengthening bonds with other Chambers, the Enterprise Europe Network, North South partnerships, room hire, and membership. During 2007 a strategic alliance was formed between Dublin Chamber of Commerce and North Dublin Chamber of Commerce. This alliance serves to fortify the voice of Dublin business and your Chamber’s ability to influence on critical issues for the business community in the Greater Dublin Area. A top priority for the Business Development committee was also to develop greater policy coordination and economic co-operation between North and South Ireland. The committee agreed that Dublin Chamber would engage with BT, InterTradeIreland and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to produce a business sentiment monitor on an All-Island basis. This survey offers the business community and decision-makers great insight into the opportunities available to, and challenges facing, all businesses as the level of cross-border cooperation continues to increase.   The Committee worked to devise a marketing plan which will continue to highlight the benefits of use of the Chambers excellent conference, training and meeting rooms to companies doing business in Dublin City.

Dublin Chamber Council Room.

The Committee examined the Enterprise Europe Network project proposal and the decision was made that the project would be of great benefit to Chamber members. The Enterprise Europe Network consists of some 500 organisations throughout Europe. The aim of the Enterprise Europe Network is to help small and mediumsized enterprises develop their innovative potential and to raise their awareness of European Commission policies. It provides the broadest range of services to help assist and advise SME’S including: Offering assistance to companies in identifying

DELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE | COMPETITIVENESS | KNOWLEDGE

potential commercial partners, especially in other countries; Helping SMEs develop new products, to access new markets and to inform them about EU activities and opportunities; Advising small businesses on technical issues such as intellectual property rights, standards and EU legislation; and Acting as a two-way street between entrepreneurs and EU decision-makers, relaying views in both directions. Dublin Chamber will be the centre for this service in the Dublin region. The committee reviewed the Chamber membership offering in its SME, Business and Corporate categories. Throughout 2008, the Business category will be further analysed to ensure the needs of members in this category are being met. The Business Development Committee wishes to thank the following sponsors who have kindly supported the Dublin Chamber over the past year: A&L Goodbody; AIB; AOL; Bank of Ireland Business Banking; BDO Simpson Xavier; BT; Citi; COLT Telecom; Data Solutions; Diageo; Energia; Grant Thornton; Invest NI; The Irish Times; Mason Hayes & Curran; Matheson Ormsby Prentice; National Irish Bank; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Temple Bar Hotel; the Commercial Mediation Association for Mediation; the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland; the Oyster Group; and Ulster Bank. We would like to thank the Irish Times for their continued support of one of our long standing community projects ‘The Irish Times Living Dublin Awards’. The awards allow us to give recognition and to celebrate both commitment and efforts by community groups, businesses and educational institutes that enhance the wellbeing of communities in Dublin City and County. I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all those involved in the Business Development Committee for their contribution and support in 2007. Greg Clarke Chairperson

Committee Report: International

The International Department runs many vibrant and exciting programmes. Working with International Chambers of Commerce, embassies and other business organisations both worldwide and locally, we offer members valuable and unique opportunities to access a global network to expand and develop their business. 2007 proved to be a year packed full of international activities through, inward & outward missions and the Ireland Hong Kong Business Forum. Highlights of 2007 included a high-level Business Mission in April to London, involving a busy programme of information and networking events including a key note address from Willie Walsh, CEO of British Airways, and a meeting with the Lord Mayor of London, Ken Livingston. Our November Business Mission to New York proved to be equally high profile and included meetings with the New Governor, Elliot Spitzer and his team, PlaNYC and attendance at the prestigious US-Ireland Council Dinner. These missions offered participants an effective and efficient way of identifying new international business opportunities and to acquiring knowledge and connections critical to success. Incoming delegations included the European Business Mission by Governor of Georgia Sonny Perdue and a delegation from the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.

Delegates of the Dublin Chamber Business Mission to New York meeting with Governor Eliot Spitzer.

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Through our Hong Kong Business Forum we held a number of key events including the first ever Shenzhen-Hong Kong Technology Mission to Dublin, the Chinese New Year Luncheon and a luncheon to mark the visit of Mr Wong Yan Lung, Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong, to Dublin. The International Programme also encompassed a number of Dublin based events which focus on providing interested members with relevant information on chosen markets worldwide. These range from seminars and conferences to business luncheons and breakfast briefing sessions. Each year we look to expanding the services of the International Department. New developments include running the new EU ‘Enterprise Europe Network’ programme which has been created by the EU to help companies develop their innovation potential and access European business support services. December saw a visit to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia by our CEO amongst others with a view to developing Trade links between the two countries. This year also saw the International Department advance the development of our ‘Travelling University’ Programme which will see us setting up networks of learning and benchmarking best international practice’s throughout the world. Finally, I would personally like to thank the members of the committee who volunteered their time and energy during 2007. Pat Maher Chairperson

Pat Maher, Executive Director, Enterprise Ireland

Members of the Chamber’s London Business Mission meeting with the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone.

Accounts

Consolidated Income And Expenditure Account Year Ended 31 October 2007 2007 €

2006 €

1,250,768

1,141,832

286,198

256,168

Income Subscriptions Export documentation Secretarial services, projects and sponsorship



2,158 -

Membership services (net of direct costs)

374,072

413,253

1,911,038

1,813,411

1,027,974

993,049

Promotion and public relations

143,311

113,943

Financial and administration expenses

184,551

182,771

Establishment costs

121,323

106,054

Depreciation

108,772

110,088

1,585,931

1,505,905

325,107

307,506

8,637

475

(6,654)

(13,517)

327,090

294,464

(695)

(95)

326,395

294,369

Surplus in the year

326,395

294,369

At beginning of year

576,911

282,542

Expenditure Staff costs (net of allocation to membership services)

Net surplus Interest income Interest expense Net surplus on ordinary activities before taxation Corporation tax on interest income Net surplus on ordinary activities after taxation Accumulated surplus

At end of year

903,306

576,911

The surplus on an historical cost basis would be greater for the year to 31 October 2007 by €37,514 (2006: €37,514) due solely to the charge for depreciation on the revalued amount included in land and buildings. The company has no recognised gains or losses other than the result for the year as set out above. On behalf of Council Ronan King Margaret Sweeney

DELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE | COMPETITIVENESS | KNOWLEDGE

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Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 October 2007 2007 €



2006 €

Current assets Debtors

516,049

426,018

Bank and cash

- carnet deposits

358,191

324,003



- other

728,661

684,416

1,602,901

1,434,437

Creditors

826,049

814,680

Net current assets

776,852

619,757

2,722,308

2,785,773

3,499,160

3,405,530

1,875,742

1,875,742

Current liabilities

Fixed assets Represented by: Capital reserve Accumulated surplus Income received in advance Long term liabilities

903,306

576,911

2,779,048

2,452,653

720,112

580,213

–

372,664

3,499,160

3,405,530

Company Balance Sheet as at 31 October 2007

2007 €

2006 €

Current assets Debtors Bank and cash

- carnet deposits - other

516,049

426,018

358,191

324,003

728,661

684,416

1,602,901

1,434,437

826,049

814,680

Current liabilities Creditors Net current assets Fixed assets

776,852

619,757

2,722,308

2,785,773

3,499,160

3,405,530

1,875,742

1,875,742

903,306

576,911

2,779,048

2,452,653

Represented by: Capital reserve Accumulated surplus

Income received in advance Long term liabilities On behalf of Council Ronan King Margaret Sweeney

720,112

580,213

–

372,664

3,499,160

3,405,530

Staff Listing

Ruth Spain Export Services Executive

Gina Quin Chief Executive

Deirdre Daly PA to Chief Executive

Karl Byrne Reception/Administration

Linda McNulty International Trade and Special Projects Manager

Richard Brown Export Services Manager

Michelle Berry Finance Manager

Joanne Doran Finance Assistant

Kay Gibbons Credit Controller

Aebhric McGibney Director of Policy & Communications

Patrick King Catherine McCabe Policy & Communications Policy & Communications Executive Officer

Jean Hoey Director of Business Development

Ciara Duncan Ruaidhrí Maxwell Aideen Ryan Membership Development Membership Development Events Manager Executive Manager

DELIVERING INFRASTRUCTURE | COMPETITIVENESS | KNOWLEDGE

Maire Walsh Events Executive

Bernadette Carton Housekeeper

T2: Opening April 2010

Dublin Chamber of Commerce 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland T

+353 (0)1 644 7200

F

+353 (0)1 676 6043

W

www.dublinchamber.ie

E

[email protected]

Delivering Infrastructure | Competitiveness | Knowledge