There’s only two months to go to Budget 2011 and rarely has an upcoming budget engendered so much talk and frankly, dread. Government and Opposition are batting it across the house and in the media…utterances are getting daily more alarming culminating this week in Deputy Varadkar’s belief that our Budget deficit might be reduced by €8 billion, a whopping €4 billion more than the Government’s ‘worst’ case scenario. Minister Lenihan has warned that the budget target would be ‘well above’ the existing figure of €3 billion.
Not since the days of ‘Mac the Knife’ has the prospect been so grim. Minister Lenihan has the toughest of tough jobs to do but are we, as a nation, ready or indeed able to take this ‘medicine’?
In this column Galway Chamber has written about our Pre-Budget to Government document where each year we alert Government to the issues, the generalities and particulars that are important to our members and some suggestions as to how these matters should be dealt with. We have always been conscious that this document would include possible solutions because, as we know, it’s very easy to demand change but it’s a different matter to come up with viable, acceptable ways to implement change.
Taxation and Enterprise are high on our agenda in our Pre Budget deliberations. By Enterprise we mean everything that affects enterprise here. By taxation we mean all taxes included extra taxes that only business pays ie Commercial Rates, a crippling extra tax on business that many businesses perceive are not entitling them to anything ‘extra’ event though it is hugely affecting their bottom line and in some cases is their death knell. It was recently reported in a list of items effectively ‘mothballed’ for the foreseeable that one of these longfingered reforms is ‘A System for Financing Local Government’. We are aware that Local Authorities have to balance their books, we are aware that services must be provided but it is no longer possible for business to balance the books for Local Authorities.
There has to be another way. We have long advocated that Government its system of funding for Local Government to help compensate for the decline in construction activity and its effect on revenues derived by local authorities from development contributions. Specific measures to redress this inequity should include: a phasing out of Commercial Rates by introducing a more broadly based sectorally inclusive system of funding for Local Government. During the phasing out period the level of Rates must be reduced. There must be value for taxes paid at a local level.
What about looking at it from a private sector point of view…Is it ok to have 30 plus Local Authorities replicating back office functions across the country? It is hugely costly, not sustainable and would not be acceptable in the private sector in current times. We need to protect jobs and we need job creators. We need to continue to compete, innovate and grow while sustaining employment, supporting Irish companies and continuing to attract foreign direct investment. Business is prepared to pay its fair share but not at the expense of jobs and not to bail out unnecessary duplication in the public service.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Galway Independent Column - 6th October 2010
In 1980 a brave group of people in Galway made a brave decision. They raised money and developed a regional airport. Since 1982 business in Galway has directly benefited from this decision. We have welcomed companies such as Boston Scientific, Hewlett Packard, Medtronic, APC, Cisco and Nortel among others.
The availability of an airport in Galway was a factor in the decision by these companies to set up in Galway and it is a factor in their decisions to stay here. These companies employ over 12.000 people in the Galway area and have been a backbone of our business based since they first opened their doors.
The whole issue of funding for regional airports is hugely important for Galway and Galway Airport. Coming up to Budget time, the Cabinet is to discuss the future of Government funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes and whether or not they should be renewed. A €2 million operational grant for six airports along the west coast is up for renewal at the end of this year and a separate €15m a year is provided by the state through the PSO routes. This was reported in the media on the same day that it was announced that Metro North work is to begin in Dublin next Spring at an estimated completion cost of €5 billion…that’s a lot of money.
General Manager of Galway Airport Joe Walsh has said that without Government support Galway Airport will have significant challenges. In a recent survey carried out by Galway Airport among businesses in the region, more than 80% said that air accessibility was essential to their location in the West.
Galway Chamber made this point to Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. Batt O'Keeffe, T.D at a recent meeting in Dublin. We put it to the Minister that by putting our Airport in jeopardy we are putting the next generation of Boston Scientifics, Hewlett Packards, Medtronics, APCs, Ciscos, Nortels et al in jeopardy also. When air accessibility is on the checklist for one of these type of companies in their location search are we automatically excluding Galway from consideration if we don’t have air access? Are we going to disqualify ourselves before they even come to visit? And of course our indigenous companies have travel needs also. On any given day on a flight to Dublin you will bump into people who are travelling to Dubai, the Far East, Europe and the US seeking out new business and new markets. It is the Government’s own view that our economic recovery will be export led.
So, yes, we are all aware of and welcome the fact that the road network has been immeasurably improved but on many occasion business wishes to air connect from Galway to their final destination using Dublin or any other hub. Surely in this day and age that should be an option?
The availability of an airport in Galway was a factor in the decision by these companies to set up in Galway and it is a factor in their decisions to stay here. These companies employ over 12.000 people in the Galway area and have been a backbone of our business based since they first opened their doors.
The whole issue of funding for regional airports is hugely important for Galway and Galway Airport. Coming up to Budget time, the Cabinet is to discuss the future of Government funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes and whether or not they should be renewed. A €2 million operational grant for six airports along the west coast is up for renewal at the end of this year and a separate €15m a year is provided by the state through the PSO routes. This was reported in the media on the same day that it was announced that Metro North work is to begin in Dublin next Spring at an estimated completion cost of €5 billion…that’s a lot of money.
General Manager of Galway Airport Joe Walsh has said that without Government support Galway Airport will have significant challenges. In a recent survey carried out by Galway Airport among businesses in the region, more than 80% said that air accessibility was essential to their location in the West.
Galway Chamber made this point to Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. Batt O'Keeffe, T.D at a recent meeting in Dublin. We put it to the Minister that by putting our Airport in jeopardy we are putting the next generation of Boston Scientifics, Hewlett Packards, Medtronics, APCs, Ciscos, Nortels et al in jeopardy also. When air accessibility is on the checklist for one of these type of companies in their location search are we automatically excluding Galway from consideration if we don’t have air access? Are we going to disqualify ourselves before they even come to visit? And of course our indigenous companies have travel needs also. On any given day on a flight to Dublin you will bump into people who are travelling to Dubai, the Far East, Europe and the US seeking out new business and new markets. It is the Government’s own view that our economic recovery will be export led.
So, yes, we are all aware of and welcome the fact that the road network has been immeasurably improved but on many occasion business wishes to air connect from Galway to their final destination using Dublin or any other hub. Surely in this day and age that should be an option?
Galway Independent Column - 29th September 2010
In 1980 a brave group of people in Galway made a brave decision. They raised money and developed a regional airport. Since 1982 business in Galway has directly benefited from this decision. We have welcomed companies such as Boston Scientific, Hewlett Packard, Medtronic, APC, Cisco and Nortel among others.
The availability of an airport in Galway was a factor in the decision by these companies to set up in Galway and it is a factor in their decisions to stay here. These companies employ over 12.000 people in the Galway area and have been a backbone of our business based since they first opened their doors.
The whole issue of funding for regional airports is hugely important for Galway and Galway Airport. Coming up to Budget time, the Cabinet is to discuss the future of Government funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes and whether or not they should be renewed. A €2 million operational grant for six airports along the west coast is up for renewal at the end of this year and a separate €15m a year is provided by the state through the PSO routes. This was reported in the media on the same day that it was announced that Metro North work is to begin in Dublin next Spring at an estimated completion cost of €5 billion…that’s a lot of money.
General Manager of Galway Airport Joe Walsh has said that without Government support Galway Airport will have significant challenges. In a recent survey carried out by Galway Airport among businesses in the region, more than 80% said that air accessibility was essential to their location in the West.
Galway Chamber made this point to Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. Batt O'Keeffe, T.D at a recent meeting in Dublin. We put it to the Minister that by putting our Airport in jeopardy we are putting the next generation of Boston Scientifics, Hewlett Packards, Medtronics, APCs, Ciscos, Nortels et al in jeopardy also. When air accessibility is on the checklist for one of these type of companies in their location search are we automatically excluding Galway from consideration if we don’t have air access? Are we going to disqualify ourselves before they even come to visit? And of course our indigenous companies have travel needs also. On any given day on a flight to Dublin you will bump into people who are travelling to Dubai, the Far East, Europe and the US seeking out new business and new markets. It is the Government’s own view that our economic recovery will be export led.
So, yes, we are all aware of and welcome the fact that the road network has been immeasurably improved but on many occasion business wishes to air connect from Galway to their final destination using Dublin or any other hub. Surely in this day and age that should be an option?
The availability of an airport in Galway was a factor in the decision by these companies to set up in Galway and it is a factor in their decisions to stay here. These companies employ over 12.000 people in the Galway area and have been a backbone of our business based since they first opened their doors.
The whole issue of funding for regional airports is hugely important for Galway and Galway Airport. Coming up to Budget time, the Cabinet is to discuss the future of Government funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes and whether or not they should be renewed. A €2 million operational grant for six airports along the west coast is up for renewal at the end of this year and a separate €15m a year is provided by the state through the PSO routes. This was reported in the media on the same day that it was announced that Metro North work is to begin in Dublin next Spring at an estimated completion cost of €5 billion…that’s a lot of money.
General Manager of Galway Airport Joe Walsh has said that without Government support Galway Airport will have significant challenges. In a recent survey carried out by Galway Airport among businesses in the region, more than 80% said that air accessibility was essential to their location in the West.
Galway Chamber made this point to Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. Batt O'Keeffe, T.D at a recent meeting in Dublin. We put it to the Minister that by putting our Airport in jeopardy we are putting the next generation of Boston Scientifics, Hewlett Packards, Medtronics, APCs, Ciscos, Nortels et al in jeopardy also. When air accessibility is on the checklist for one of these type of companies in their location search are we automatically excluding Galway from consideration if we don’t have air access? Are we going to disqualify ourselves before they even come to visit? And of course our indigenous companies have travel needs also. On any given day on a flight to Dublin you will bump into people who are travelling to Dubai, the Far East, Europe and the US seeking out new business and new markets. It is the Government’s own view that our economic recovery will be export led.
So, yes, we are all aware of and welcome the fact that the road network has been immeasurably improved but on many occasion business wishes to air connect from Galway to their final destination using Dublin or any other hub. Surely in this day and age that should be an option?
Galway Independent Column - 22nd September 2010
Any individual, being a fully paid up Member of Galway Chamber, can put himself or herself forward to be a member of the Council of Galway Chamber, in effect our board of directors. Election to Council takes place every year and currently the Postal Ballot of the Chamber Council Elections 2010/2011, is with members. Half of the places on Council are decided by postal ballot with the remaining places being voted for at our AGM in October.
Our Council members all work with Galway Chamber in a voluntary capacity to make Galway, as we say in our mission statement, the leading location for business, investment and people. Council members come from all business sectors and range from sole traders to employees of multi national companies and everything in between. What they all have in common is a wish to make business better in Galway.
Policy issues, lobbying campaigns, programme of work are decided by Council and enacted by the executive with committee assistance from Council. There is a full meeting of Council once a month with an agenda pertinent to Chamber business and the issues relevant to the wider business community. This year Galway Chamber will hold its 219th AGM which is a long time being in business for business.
Our offices at Commerce House, Merchant’s Road are open five days a week from 9 am to 5.30 pm and members and potential members are very welcome to call in. As a business organisation our strength is in our membership and the more members we have the more strength we have to lobby on issues affecting business in Galway. Our website www.galwaychamber.com has more information about what we do and how to become a member. We are also on Facebook and Twitter and these Galway Independent columns are available for comment on Galway Chamber’s Blog on www.galwaychamber.blogspot.com
Our current President is Paul Shelly and the following list of Presidents of Galway Chamber from 1923 to 2010 includes names that will be very familiar to readers. They all made a significant contribution to Galway Chamber and to business in Galway: Alex Grant, Martin McDonagh, T. J. W. Kenny, E. K. Jackson, J. O'Kelly Lynch, P. O'Gorman, Martin McDonagh, T. J. W. Kenny, J. J. Ward, Louis O'Dea, J. J. Ward, J. F. Costello, M. O'Flaherty, Dr. T. Walsh, J. D. Whelan, G. D. Naughton, John Allen, R. T. Curley, D. D. Coyle, Lord Killanan, G. I. Corbett, G. O'Gorman, P. D. Ryan, J. M Lydon, C. E. Faller, Kerry O'Sullivan, N. C. Rabbitt, Joseph Herbert, E. L. Hynes, L. M. O'Brien, Thomas McDonagh, Joseph Curley, P. McCambridge, Conor Connolly, G. P. Watson, John D. Coyle, D. P. Griffin, Seosamh o'hOgairtaigh, Thomas O'Connor, Mary Bennett, John D. Coyle, Jim Sweeney, Bernard O'Hara, Terry Brennan, Michael Corless, Liam O'Connell, Joe Greaney, Michael Hegarty, Judy Greene, Michael Coyle, Joe Greaney, Hannah Kiely, Chris Coughlan, John Madden, David Niland, Peter Allen and Paul Shelly. Carmel Brennan is the incoming President.
Our Council members all work with Galway Chamber in a voluntary capacity to make Galway, as we say in our mission statement, the leading location for business, investment and people. Council members come from all business sectors and range from sole traders to employees of multi national companies and everything in between. What they all have in common is a wish to make business better in Galway.
Policy issues, lobbying campaigns, programme of work are decided by Council and enacted by the executive with committee assistance from Council. There is a full meeting of Council once a month with an agenda pertinent to Chamber business and the issues relevant to the wider business community. This year Galway Chamber will hold its 219th AGM which is a long time being in business for business.
Our offices at Commerce House, Merchant’s Road are open five days a week from 9 am to 5.30 pm and members and potential members are very welcome to call in. As a business organisation our strength is in our membership and the more members we have the more strength we have to lobby on issues affecting business in Galway. Our website www.galwaychamber.com has more information about what we do and how to become a member. We are also on Facebook and Twitter and these Galway Independent columns are available for comment on Galway Chamber’s Blog on www.galwaychamber.blogspot.com
Our current President is Paul Shelly and the following list of Presidents of Galway Chamber from 1923 to 2010 includes names that will be very familiar to readers. They all made a significant contribution to Galway Chamber and to business in Galway: Alex Grant, Martin McDonagh, T. J. W. Kenny, E. K. Jackson, J. O'Kelly Lynch, P. O'Gorman, Martin McDonagh, T. J. W. Kenny, J. J. Ward, Louis O'Dea, J. J. Ward, J. F. Costello, M. O'Flaherty, Dr. T. Walsh, J. D. Whelan, G. D. Naughton, John Allen, R. T. Curley, D. D. Coyle, Lord Killanan, G. I. Corbett, G. O'Gorman, P. D. Ryan, J. M Lydon, C. E. Faller, Kerry O'Sullivan, N. C. Rabbitt, Joseph Herbert, E. L. Hynes, L. M. O'Brien, Thomas McDonagh, Joseph Curley, P. McCambridge, Conor Connolly, G. P. Watson, John D. Coyle, D. P. Griffin, Seosamh o'hOgairtaigh, Thomas O'Connor, Mary Bennett, John D. Coyle, Jim Sweeney, Bernard O'Hara, Terry Brennan, Michael Corless, Liam O'Connell, Joe Greaney, Michael Hegarty, Judy Greene, Michael Coyle, Joe Greaney, Hannah Kiely, Chris Coughlan, John Madden, David Niland, Peter Allen and Paul Shelly. Carmel Brennan is the incoming President.
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