Love Irish Food celebrated its first birthday recently. The organisation, a marketing group for Irish food and drink brands, has grown its membership from 29 to 77 brands in its first year. The premise behind the organisation is very simple, buying more Irish made products helps Irish businesses survive and protects Irish jobs. That's something that we can all be proud of and get involved with.
The ultimate goal of Love Irish Food is to protect Irish jobs with simple choices. The people involved in the organisation believe that behind every Irish product on the shelves is a real home-grown story about people working from farm to factory to supermarket floor to bring you your great quality Irish product. This makes sense on many levels. It is not a prescriptive organisation…ultimately they are asking people to consider buying just one more Irish brand in their grocery shop, one more can make all the difference.
The Love Irish Food people reckon that if just one third of households in Ireland (that’s 400,000) spent an average of €1.67 more on an Irish item each week for a year €35 million would be generated for the Irish economy. That’s a lot of money.
A new report from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland published on Monday showed that a quarter of jobs were lost in the industry between 2008 and 2010. The report also showed that the Government’s plan to tackle cross border shopping in last year’s Budget has not stopped shoppers going north. It had been hoped that the decision in the UK to increase VAT from 15% to 17.5% coupled with the reduction of the Irish rate of VAT from 21.5% to 21% would stabilise the market, which it did for the first six months after the excise cuts were announced, there was even an increase in sales of 6.4%. However cross border shopping is beginning to pick up again and will, as before, hit sales here.
Another alarming statistic recently came from Retail Excellence Ireland who said that 35,000 retail industry employees have lost their jobs since the start of 2009.
All of this ties in with Galway Chamber’s annual Sp€nd Christmas in Galway campaign. Simply put, and mentioned in this column last week, for the last number of years we have been urging visitors and Galwegians alike to spend as much of their time and their money as they possibly can, here in Galway. It’s a ‘shop local’ campaign based around the run up to the festive season when we urge everyone, on behalf of our members, to buy their Christmas gifts locally, to shop for food and drink locally, to party locally and to encourage others to visit Galway.
Right now there are a lot of things in this country over which we have no control. However, we have control over what we spend and where we spend it. If one person, Sp€nding Christmas in Galway, keeps another person in a job, then it’s worthwhile. To get involved in the Sp€nd Christmas in Galway Campaign simply contact Galway Chamber on 091563536 or email info@galwaychamber.com
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Galway Independent Column - 27 October 2010
When Galway Chamber Council members discussed the matter of Commercial Rates at the recent Chamber AGM there was a unanimous view in the room that not only could business not support any increase in Commercial Rates this year, it couldn’t support a freeze either. The only way that Commercial Rates could go this year…is down.
Outgoing President Paul Shelly reflected the view of the large attendance after the meeting when he said that Galway Chamber must lobby for a reduction of at least 10% in Commercial Rates this year. He said that business could no longer afford to pay Commercial Rates at their current level and this was evident in the amount of uncollected rates.
‘We are lobbying with other business organisations on this issue of concern to our members. There needs to be at least a reduction of 10%, the rates base needs to be widened, duplication of functions in the local authorities needs to be rationalised to reduce costs of services and local government funding by central government must change’, he said.
The bleak message from our members is that Galway businesses will not survive if our local authorities, city and county, don’t cut Commercial Rates. On behalf of our members we are calling for a 10% cut so that business can continue to trade and can continue to retain jobs.
We are well aware that the local authorities depend on Commercial Rates to fund approximately a third of their costs (€33m out of a total of €87m) and while the private sector has had to tighten up and reduce costs in order to survive, the public sector must do the same.
For example, the rates base must widen: only 8% of the buildings here are eligible to pay rates…there are no rates levied on public buildings, domestic buildings or businesses such as B&Bs.
The introduction of broad-based charges will reduce local authority budgetary pressures and thus the dependency on business to make up the short fall in funding. Minister Gormley must make sure that recommendations for Local Government reform are implemented by national government. The situation as it exists cannot continue. Already the contribution by business is down because of closures and the collapse in forecasted development contributions income. This underlines the fragile nature of local authority budgets and must be moved to a more sustainable funding model.
In order to restore competitiveness Government must move to reduce the amount of rates and charges that businesses are forced to pay. Costs savings and economies of scale are necessary, amalgamation of back office functions between the city and county councils would be one such route, much like the VEC proposals.
Businesses in Galway city and county have been through and are still going through very difficult times. These businesses cannot support what is essentially an extra tax on business. Our members have always paid their share and have no objection to paying a fair share but in the current economy this extra tax on business is insupportable and will cost jobs.
And speaking of jobs and keeping our spend local….it’s coming to that time of year again when we urge members and the wider public to shop local and to Sp€nd Christmas in Galway. Good news then that the proposed Christmas Market has been saved at the 11th hour.
In a recent press statement issued by Galway Chamber and following a briefing to our Council on the proposed market, we said that we would be working to ensure that local businesses gain maximum advantage from the expected influx of visitors to the City in the pre-Christmas period.
We will be working this year as every other year to attract people to ‘Sp€nd Christmas in Galway, both visitors and locals alike and we will continue to promote Galway as a fantastic place to visit and to shop over the Christmas holiday season with the Christmas Market further supporting this campaign.
Outgoing President Paul Shelly reflected the view of the large attendance after the meeting when he said that Galway Chamber must lobby for a reduction of at least 10% in Commercial Rates this year. He said that business could no longer afford to pay Commercial Rates at their current level and this was evident in the amount of uncollected rates.
‘We are lobbying with other business organisations on this issue of concern to our members. There needs to be at least a reduction of 10%, the rates base needs to be widened, duplication of functions in the local authorities needs to be rationalised to reduce costs of services and local government funding by central government must change’, he said.
The bleak message from our members is that Galway businesses will not survive if our local authorities, city and county, don’t cut Commercial Rates. On behalf of our members we are calling for a 10% cut so that business can continue to trade and can continue to retain jobs.
We are well aware that the local authorities depend on Commercial Rates to fund approximately a third of their costs (€33m out of a total of €87m) and while the private sector has had to tighten up and reduce costs in order to survive, the public sector must do the same.
For example, the rates base must widen: only 8% of the buildings here are eligible to pay rates…there are no rates levied on public buildings, domestic buildings or businesses such as B&Bs.
The introduction of broad-based charges will reduce local authority budgetary pressures and thus the dependency on business to make up the short fall in funding. Minister Gormley must make sure that recommendations for Local Government reform are implemented by national government. The situation as it exists cannot continue. Already the contribution by business is down because of closures and the collapse in forecasted development contributions income. This underlines the fragile nature of local authority budgets and must be moved to a more sustainable funding model.
In order to restore competitiveness Government must move to reduce the amount of rates and charges that businesses are forced to pay. Costs savings and economies of scale are necessary, amalgamation of back office functions between the city and county councils would be one such route, much like the VEC proposals.
Businesses in Galway city and county have been through and are still going through very difficult times. These businesses cannot support what is essentially an extra tax on business. Our members have always paid their share and have no objection to paying a fair share but in the current economy this extra tax on business is insupportable and will cost jobs.
And speaking of jobs and keeping our spend local….it’s coming to that time of year again when we urge members and the wider public to shop local and to Sp€nd Christmas in Galway. Good news then that the proposed Christmas Market has been saved at the 11th hour.
In a recent press statement issued by Galway Chamber and following a briefing to our Council on the proposed market, we said that we would be working to ensure that local businesses gain maximum advantage from the expected influx of visitors to the City in the pre-Christmas period.
We will be working this year as every other year to attract people to ‘Sp€nd Christmas in Galway, both visitors and locals alike and we will continue to promote Galway as a fantastic place to visit and to shop over the Christmas holiday season with the Christmas Market further supporting this campaign.
Galway Independent Column - 20 October 2010
Only if you’ve been on another planet will you not have heard of ‘social media’…this brave new world of facebook, twitter, blogging et al is not really that new but for us ordinary mortals it’s time has come. The computer whizzes among us have been involved in this phenomenon for years and predict that the next wave is not far away. Now, in case you are one of the intergalactical travellers there’s the movie..The Social Network.
On a fall night in 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer programming genius Mark Zuckerberg sits down at his computer and heatedly begins working on a new idea. In a fury of blogging and programming, what begins in his dorm room soon becomes a global social network and a revolution in communication.
A mere six years and 500 million friends later, Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest billionaire in history… but for this entrepreneur, success leads to both personal and legal complications. From director David Fincher and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin comes The Social Network, a film that proves you don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.
So says the blurb, the film is based on the book “The Accidental Billionaires” by Ben Mezrich. For business the most interesting aspect of this ‘social media’ scenario is that it’s free. Essentially its free marketing for your business. It’s time intensive but otherwise free. Here in Galway Chamber we are firmly in favour of any initiative that will benefit our members and the wider business community. That’s why we have hosted three interactive sessions over the last three Tuesday mornings on Social Media, blogging, twitter and facebook. Led by Ina O’Murchu who’s company Social Bits is based in the new Webworks building these sessions have been both informative and interactive.
Before the advent of social media and the technology to make it possible, our reach in terms of marketing was finite. Sure, by means of traditional advertising we could reach a wide audience but at a cost that would be beyond the budget of most small businesses. Now, with some training and an application of time and the right tools we can reach an audience of millions.
This is the future and business has to prepare for it. It’s a brave new world out there and business has to be courageous and take the first step. Galway Chamber held its 219th AGM yesterday. We currently have a facebook page. We blog and we twitter. We have evolved for our members over the years. We will continue to do so.
Finally the news this week that a US company is targeting the city for a possible 800 new jobs in the call centre arena is very positive. Let’s do everything we can to make sure that Galway ticks the right boxes on their list.
On a fall night in 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer programming genius Mark Zuckerberg sits down at his computer and heatedly begins working on a new idea. In a fury of blogging and programming, what begins in his dorm room soon becomes a global social network and a revolution in communication.
A mere six years and 500 million friends later, Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest billionaire in history… but for this entrepreneur, success leads to both personal and legal complications. From director David Fincher and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin comes The Social Network, a film that proves you don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.
So says the blurb, the film is based on the book “The Accidental Billionaires” by Ben Mezrich. For business the most interesting aspect of this ‘social media’ scenario is that it’s free. Essentially its free marketing for your business. It’s time intensive but otherwise free. Here in Galway Chamber we are firmly in favour of any initiative that will benefit our members and the wider business community. That’s why we have hosted three interactive sessions over the last three Tuesday mornings on Social Media, blogging, twitter and facebook. Led by Ina O’Murchu who’s company Social Bits is based in the new Webworks building these sessions have been both informative and interactive.
Before the advent of social media and the technology to make it possible, our reach in terms of marketing was finite. Sure, by means of traditional advertising we could reach a wide audience but at a cost that would be beyond the budget of most small businesses. Now, with some training and an application of time and the right tools we can reach an audience of millions.
This is the future and business has to prepare for it. It’s a brave new world out there and business has to be courageous and take the first step. Galway Chamber held its 219th AGM yesterday. We currently have a facebook page. We blog and we twitter. We have evolved for our members over the years. We will continue to do so.
Finally the news this week that a US company is targeting the city for a possible 800 new jobs in the call centre arena is very positive. Let’s do everything we can to make sure that Galway ticks the right boxes on their list.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Galway Independent Column - 13th October 2010
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.
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.
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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