Chamber makes pre-budget submission

Cork Chamber has called on the Government to pursue a more “supportive enterprise ecosystem” in its pre-budget submission.

In a meeting with Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers on Thursday 7 July, members of the Chamber outlined recommendations as part of its pre-budget submission across areas including housing, transport, infrastructure, energy, talent, and skills.

The submission made a number of suggestions, including prioritising a more “competitive personal and business tax regime”, aligning infrastructure development with housing requirements, and investment in skills development and talent attraction in “key emerging areas such as AI and digitilisation”.

Susie Horgan, Cork Chamber President, said the Cork business community has “consistently demonstrated its ability to remain agile and dynamic when faced with external challenges”.

“However, Budget 2027 must ensure continued support for firms of all sizes to grow and scale here in Ireland, driven by an enterprise ecosystem that prioritises competitiveness,” she said.

She said the Chamber’s pre-budget submission draws on extensive consultation and engagement with its members operating across a broad range of sectors.

“What emerged clearly across sectors was the importance of maintaining and enhancing Cork’s reputation as a location of choice for talent and investment.

“At a time when Ireland has an opportunity to influence discussions on Europe’s future through its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, it is important that we lead by example, delivering on the key priorities of Ireland’s Presidency: competitiveness, values, and security,” she said.

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said he welcomed the chance to meet Chamber representatives.

“Cork has a unique role to play in the national economy and engaging with Cork’s business community today was a valuable opportunity to consider the critical enablers needed to unlock sustainable growth in the region and drive economic competitiveness in the coming years,” he said.

Conor Healy, Cork Chamber CEO, said with the significant growth that is forecasted for Cork in the coming decades, it is “imperative that investment keeps pace … and transformative projects for Cork are delivered on-time and on-budget”.

“Budget 2027 needs to lay the groundwork for sustainable economic development into the future.

“Housing, regeneration of the Docklands and city centre, transport projects like Luas Cork, BusConnects Cork and the Cork Area Commuter Rail, strategic roads projects, and investment in Cork’s international connectivity are all vital to achieve this vision and position Cork as a globally competitive region,” he said.