Dublin Chamber Of Commerce Annual Report 2008

Annual Report 2008

Dublin Chamber of Commerce 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. T F W E

+353 (0)1 644 7200 +353 (0)1 676 6043 www.dublinchamber.ie [email protected]

Delivering for Dublin: Connecting Business, Influencing Decisions

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: [email protected]

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

The Chamber made a submission to the Department 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.

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 Christmas Lunch.

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 Local Government on their Green Paper on Local 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 our missions abroad. The year started off with an  historic event with the Taoiseach and the Right Hon Ian Paisley showing us the opportunity now 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.  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.  

Margaret Sweeney and Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan TD, at the Chamber Annual Dinner.

Margaret Sweeney presents Catherine Day, Secretary General of the European Commission, with a copy of the Chamber’s ‘Executive Summary’ of the Lisbon Treaty.

It has been my pleasure to serve as your President and I am grateful for the trust you the members have placed in me as the 138th President of Dublin 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 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

4

Chief Executive’s Report

the broadening of the tax base of local authorities

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.

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 of businesses and look to provide clear opportunity for business development and deepening of your customer relationships.  The Chamber team and I would like to thank you sincerely for getting involved throughout 2008. We strongly urge you to stay in touch with us in 2009 through our events, briefings or simply by telephone or visiting our offices. We always want to hear your views and are committed to working with you to improve the business environment in 2009.

Brian Goggin, CEO, Bank of Ireland; Paul S Quinn, Buchanan Ingersoll; Gina Quin, winner of UCD Smurfit School of Business’s outstanding alumnus of the year award; and Paul Haran, CEO, UCD Smurfit School of Business.

I would also like to thank members of Council, Executive, committee members and our sponsors for your invaluable involvement and support over the past twelve months. Gina Quin Chief Executive

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

Chief Executive’s Report

5

Council Listing

6

Council member

Title

Organisation

Attendance

Margaret Sweeney

President

CEO, Postbank

8 of 8

PJ Timmins

Vice President

Chief Executive, Clery & Co.

8 of 8

Peter Brennan

Deputy Vice President & Chair, 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

Dermot Breen

Chair, Communications & Marketing Committee

Director - Corporate Affairs, Tesco Ireland

5 of 8

Greg Clarke

Chair, Business Development 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

Martin Murphy

Chair, Knowledge Economy 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

David O’Halloran

Director & Head of Business 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

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.

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

8

Committee Report: Knowledge Economy

Committee Report: Competitive Dublin

Dermot Breen ––Chairperson Imelda 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 businesses, Government, state agencies, local authorities and education providers have a clearer understanding of what assets the Dublin City Region has to offer international investors and domestic businesses. Having this knowledge also helps us identify the areas in which we need to improve in order to successfully compete with competitor city regions internationally. ‘Competitiveness’ is a very broad concept and covers every policy area (transport infrastructure, education, productivity levels, quality of life, the environment etc.). To ensure the work of the committee was channelled effectively, we focused on two principal streams in 2008: Governance of the Dublin City Region; and Benchmarking Dublin’s Competitiveness. The issue of ‘governance’ of the Dublin City Region was high on our agenda as the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government produced a Green Paper on Local Government Reform in 2008 which outlined the proposal for a Mayor for Dublin. The committee made a written response to the Green Paper re-enforcing the Chamber’s message that: The financing of local authorities needs to be

reviewed in order to reduce the burden on the business community as one of the primary sources of funding for local authorities; and The need to improve the management

structure of the Dublin City Region to increase accountability and responsibility for delivery of services, the identification of efficiencies and cost savings, and having a single, accountable person responsible for championing the city region. The committee followed this submission with a letter to the Manager of Dublin City Council highlighting the importance of cost competitiveness for businesses. We strongly urged the City Council 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

Gina Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive; Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley TD; Margaret Sweeney, Dublin Chamber President; Imelda Reynolds, Chair of the Chamber’s Competitive Dublin Committee.

by 3.3%. However, we will continue to pursue our agenda to stop businesses being used as a financial crutch by local authorities. In 2008 we also called on Central Government to broaden the tax base of local authorities. The levy on second homes and investment properties announced in Budget 2009 is a positive step but it is only the beginning. Central Government needs to do more and should immediately remove the rates exemption for state occupied buildings. This would raise another E30m for Dublin City Council alone. The other stream of work undertaken by the committee in 2008 was benchmarking Dublin’s competitive position against our international competitors. Many organisations are carrying out research on ‘competitiveness’, so our first step was to actively engaged with stakeholders – including Forfas and Dublin City Council - to make ourselves and others aware of the body of work that already exists or which is currently underway. The committee is analysing the indicators that have been selected by the above bodies, and also the city regions that have been selected to compare Dublin against. We are feeding back into the process through surveys and making recommendations on the effectiveness of these selections so that the findings coming out of the research are relevant and can be utilized to improve our competitiveness. The committee has worked tirelessly on your behalf throughout 2008 to promote the Dublin City Region as an attractive and competitive location. I would like to extend a special thank you each member of the committee for their energy, commitment and contribution over the past year. Imelda Reynolds Chairperson

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. Our 2008 Communications Strategy’s objectives 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 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 Chairperson

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 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.

Business Banking

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 needs and produce extra efficiencies in current services. The sales department was expanded early in 2008 to grow the membership to ensure continued diversity and more opportunities for networking! Our forthcoming online system and members-only extranet will give businesses new ways to interact and allow online booking for our events programme, room-hire services and international trade series. In keeping with our online strategy in 2008 Dublin Chamber also went live with a facility to allow 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

Irish Blood Transfusion Service Seirbhís Fuilaistriúcháin na hÉireann

Irish Blood Transfusion Service Seirbhís Fuilaistriúcháin na hÉireann

Irish Blood Transfusion Service Seirbhís Fuilaistriúcháin na hÉireann

Irish Blood Transfusion Service Seirbhís Fuilaistriúcháin na hÉireann

Committee Report: International

Pat Maher – Chairperson

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

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 with InterTradeIreland, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and leading chambers around the country to facilitate trade across the whole island of Ireland. This is an exciting chance for SMEs to expand their business.

Tim Kaine, U.S. Governor of Virginia and recently appointed Chairman of Democratic National Committee, addresses attendees of an international department briefing.

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

Brussels Business Mission delegation meets with EU Commissioner for Internal Market, Charlie McCreevy.

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

16

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 Communications

Policy and Communications Manager

Policy and Communications Executive

Director of Business Development

Membership Development Manager

Membership Development

Linda McNulty

Sam Bowman

Cora Pfafferott

Ciara Duncan

Marie Walsh

Bernadette Carton

International and Special Projects Manager

Project Facilitator - Network & Getwork Programme

Enterprise Europe Network Executive

Events Manager

Events Executive

Housekeeper

Richard Brown

Ruth Spain

Export Services Manager

Export Services Executive

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: [email protected]

www.dublinport.ie

Annual Report 2008

Dublin Chamber of Commerce 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. T F W E

+353 (0)1 644 7200 +353 (0)1 676 6043 www.dublinchamber.ie [email protected]

Delivering for Dublin: Connecting Business, Influencing Decisions