Members Thank You for Giving Me the Opportunity to Address You

Members thank you for giving me the opportunity to address you.

JOINT CHAMBERS

I am PRO of Dundalk Chamber and have been actively involved on cross border matters since 1979. Newry Chamber sends their apologies. They cannot be here due to a planning appeal. Warrenpoint Chamber is represented.

The Chambers have worked together on many occasions. This presentation was prepared by Dundalk but has the endorsement of both Newry and Warrenpoint. The two Local Authorities through the Memorandum of Understanding are also building bridges. (The physical Narrow Water Bridge would have been a concrete manifestation of this).

BORDER PROBLEMS /IMPEDIMENTS

The border divided our area without regard to physical or cultural references and has had a devastingly negative impact since 1920. Newry Chamber has asked me to stress their concern over the proposed UK referendum, a concern we would echo.

2 currencies, laws and tax structures has inhibited growth and encouraged the Black economy. The McArdle report Nov 2011, commissioned by the Chambers and the 2 Local Authorities showed that Dundalk was poorest Southern border town and Newry third worst. The Gateway Hubs Report by Department Environment May 2013 places Dundalk last of the Gateways. (See appendices).

Government actions, be it in Dublin, Stormont or Whitehall has taken very little regard to the area when considering fiscal or regional matters.

The setting of VAT or excise rates is done independently with no thought as to the consequences. It is probably true to say currency movement is a greater part but policy makers need to focus on those matters that they can control.

Retail, a major employer and economic engine cannot plan long term in either jurisdiction. Currently the petrol pumps in the South are busy but a few years ago I remember one garage refusing to sell less than 5 euro of petrol. (enough to just make the NEAREST Northern station,)

The cost of rates and other business costs in the South put retailers in Dundalk and Letterkenny at a disadvantage. Retailers on both sides of the border find it hard to do long term planning.

The recent announcement that Ireland’s ancient East starts in Drogheda and heads for Cork ignored the land of Cu Chulainn, The TAIN and Fionn MacCool reinforces our perception that Dublin looks South and Belfast North and West!!!!

DUNDALK

Dundalk’s unemployment rate is well ABOVE the national average despite the recent significant wins. The loss of out 4 pillars, engineering, shoes, tobacco and brewing has not been made up. The statistics have been constant over the last 40 years.

Is the proposed reduction in Corporation Tax in the North a threat or an opportunity? Has the IDA/Enterprise Ireland considered the consequences?

We have shown that we can produce world leaders in Naughton, McCann, Goodman, Haughey (Glen Fyffes AIBP Norbrook); it is interesting to note that while all 4 are from Dundalk, two of them started in Newry.

STUDIES AND REPORTS

The various studies have in their own way concluded that the sum of the area is less than the whole. In other words the area has significant potential to be a growth area but it has not been developed.

At this stage what is required is a coordinated approach to the region for the following reasons

1.  The deprivation rates show a social need

2.  The population of the area as a whole has sufficient critical mass

3.  The infrastructure both physical and administration is in place

We are the only area along the border that meets all three above. They are the criteria set by Bradley (Queens 2012)

4.  The education facilities are in place

5.  Tourist potential is enormous

6.  Counterweight to the growing Dublin/Belfast sprawl

CHAMBER ROLE

Dundalk Chamber has played its part by

1.  Supporting members and encouraging self-help/networking

2.  Lobbied for specific matters

3.  Worked with DKIT, LEF and Dept. Social Protection on various employment initiatives.

4.  Shop Local

5.  Established with Council a BIDS Company

We want to see an economic area within the economic corridor of Dublin/Belfast. This would be a positive demonstration to Unionists that there are significant gains to be made from Europe.

WORK WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND STATE AGENCIES

When Louth and Newry&Mourne signed their MoU it was hailed by Europe as an example of how two local authorities in different jurisdictions should work.

Now that both Local Authorities have been given enhanced Economic responsibilities it makes sense that closer collaboration in this area be developed.

Dundalk as the 5th largest urban area should be included in the Living City initiative. For the reasons given above and the statistics in the appendix it is obvious the town needs help.

The area needs to be marketed as a whole, the Gullion/ Cooley/ Mournes / Silent Valley and Narnia with the jewel of Carlingford Lough surpasses the physical beauty of most regions, The history of the Boyne Valley, The Tain Trail, Monasterboice, Faughart offers all a fascinating place to visit.

Carlingford Lough offers a wide variety of outdoor activities.

All of this is within 90km (60 MINUTES) to over 2.5million people, all of Belfast and Dublin a figure which cannot be surpassed on the island

CONCLUSION

In conclusion we recommend an economic zone which would

1.  Give enhanced capital allowances (this is ONLY a timing issue)

2.  Include Dundalk in the Living City Initative

3.  Market the area of Gullion/Cooley/Mourne as a single tourist destination

4.  Recognition in each other jurisdiction of EIIS/BES Business Expansion scheme

5.  Target specific industries,

a.  Transport

b.  Hospitality/Geo Tourism

c.  Financial services (First Derivatives/PayPal/Vesta}

d.  Low carbon (building on Glen Dimplex, Kingspan etc.,)

e.  Pharmaceuticals (Advanced IDA site in place for 10 years with no buildings)

6.  Special measures to be for a period certain contd./

7.  Coordinate with UK employment initiatives

8.  Encourage cross border movement of capital and employment

9.  Design policies to avoid diisplacement from other regions on the island

10. Extend and enhance the Louth/Nery Mourne Down MoU

11. Share and support facilities such as Hospitals and other infrastructure

12. Improve access to the greater Down area from Louth and Belfast

DundalkNewryWarrenpoint