bi_newsletter_Feb10:Dublin Biz Newsletter May04 28/01/2010 09:51 Page 1

DUBLIN BUSINESS
January 2010
influencing decisions...
Dear Fellow Member,
The last year has been a challenging
year for businesses in every sector; a
year where the greatest pain has been
shouldered by those who have lost
their jobs and their business.
Companies have sought to adapt
swiftly to this new business
environment, by cutting costs and
focusing on becoming leaner, fitter
and smarter. The good news is that
our economy is becoming more
competitive and better prepared for a
positive future as a result.
Achievements
connecting | influencing
(c) Government reconfirmed its commitment
to public transport projects (Metro North
and the Dart Underground).
(d) The Government also signalled the
broadening of the tax base of local
government beyond business rates while
not increasing personal or corporate
tax rates.
Overall, the Chamber was pleased to note
the balance of spending cuts and tax
increases in Budget 2010, and will continue
to lobby on your behalf to seek more detail In 2009, attendances increased by 25 per cent at
from Government as to how it will balance its Chamber events with 10,000 guests at 100 events.
books by 2014.
Ken Murnaghan, Regional Director, Ulster Bank; PJ
Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; and Declan
Your Voice
The feedback that we received through our Fitzgerald, MD of Business Banking, Ulster Bank, at

In 2009, the Chamber sought to help
companies adapt to this new environment by
providing more opportunities for business
development and by firmly putting the
enterprise agenda to Government. As
Government sets the tone of confidence in
the country, we called on them to recognise
the damage being done to businesses right
across the country and bring forward
initiatives that would both protect jobs and
firms, and stimulate confidence and generate
wealth. Some of our key achievements which
we secured on your behalf in 2009 include:
1. We sought and gained a commitment from
Government departments to pay all
their bills to suppliers within 15 days of
their invoicing;
2. The proposal for a 24/7 bus gate at
College Green was abandoned in favour of
public transport priority access during
morning and evening peak times, Monday
to Friday, only;
3. We successfully campaigned for a yes vote
for the second Lisbon referendum; and,
4. On foot of the recommendations outlined
in our 2010 Budget submission:
(a) Excise duty on beer, cider, spirits and wine
was reduced;
(b) Public sector wages were reduced, and a
new pension scheme for all new public
servants was introduced; and
member surveys during the course of the
year clearly highlighted that reducing costs is
the primary concern of business.
At a national level, our Budget submission
called for a ‘Bord Snip’ for local government
to identify and cut the waste and duplication
that occurs at local level. This request has
been answered, and in mid-2010 a report
on the efficiency of local authorities will
be delivered.
At a local level, we have run an aggressive
campaign directed at Dublin TDs, Councillors
and local officials to cut commercial rates.
Our campaign to cut commercial rates has
been successful across the four local
authorities in Dublin with cuts of between
two and five per cent.
Meeting the Challenge
Over the course of 2009, Dublin Chamber
significantly ramped up the volume of
services to help members respond to these
challenging times. With a great team here at
the Chamber, and the help of our sponsors
throughout the year, we have continued to
improve our events, deliver more business
information and strengthen our position as
the ‘voice of Dublin’ business.
Attendance at Chamber functions was at
record levels in 2009, increasing by 25 per
cent with 10,000 attendees at the 100
Business After Hours in Ulster Bank.
Chamber events held. Members heard from a
range of prominent political and business
speakers at our feature events including An
Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Minister Brian
Lenihan, Denis O’Brien and John Pearson
from Virgin Radio. The Chamber also ran
regular free courses throughout the year on
‘how to improve your networking skills’ so
you can make the most of the opportunities
our events programme offered for personal
and business development.
A Word of Thanks
I would like to thank you all for your excellent
contributions throughout 2009. It is because
of you that the Dublin Chamber is the
premier networking organisation in the city
and the powerful voice of Dublin business.
Thank you sincerely for your continued
participation and support.
Warmest Regards,
PJ Timmins
President

Dublin Chamber of Commerce, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 644 7200; Fax: (01) 676 6043
 bi_newsletter_Feb10:Dublin Biz Newsletter May04
BUSINESS IRELAND
DUBLIN BUSINESS connecting - influencing
connecting business...
2009 IN REVIEW
with Christmas Networking Lunch
with John Pearson, co-founder
of Virgin Radio
Mark Cunningham, Director of Business Banking,
Bank of Ireland; John Pearson, co-founder of Virgin
Radio; PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; and
Keith Barry, leading magician and illusionist.
Dinner in Camera with Val
Quinn, Coca-Cola
April Redmond, Director of Strategic Planning for
Great Britain and Ireland, Coca Cola; PJ Timmins,
President Dublin Chamber; Rory Quinlan, HSBC
Private Banking; and Val Quinn, Managing Director,
Coca-Cola Ireland.
AGM Dinner with Taoiseach
Brian Cowen
An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD; PJ Timmins, Dublin
Chamber President; Robert Gallagher, Chief
Executive, Ulster Bank Corporate Markets; and Gina
Quin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive.
Dublin Chamber of Commerce, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 644 7200; Fax: (01) 676 6043
28/01/2010 09:51 Page 2
autumn 2005
Business Members’ Lunch in Dinner in Camera with Martin
Camera with Paul Rellis, Murphy, Hewlett-Packard
Microsoft
PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; Martin
Murphy, Managing Director; Alan Duffy, Head of
Corporate Banking Ireland, HSBC.
Annual Dinner with Denis
O’Brien and Minister
Brian Lenihan
Joe Grogan, Chief Executive Officer, Marsh Ireland;
PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; Charles
Barry, Deputy CEO; and Paul Rellis, Managing
Director of Microsoft Ireland.
PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; and Denis
Dinner in Camera with Minister O’Brien, Chairman, Digicel.
Brian Lenihan
Business Breakfast with
Leinster Coach Michael Cheika
Simon Wainwright, CEO, HSBC Ireland; Minister for
Finance, Brian Lenihan TD; and PJ Timmins, Dublin PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; and Michael
Chamber President. Cheika, Coach, Leinster Rugby.
 bi_newsletter_Feb10:Dublin Biz Newsletter May04 28/01/2010 09:51 Page 3

BUSINESS IRELAND
DUBLIN BUSINESS connecting - influencing
autumn 2005
connecting business...
2009 IN REVIEW
on with
DFA & Dublin Chamber Business Breakfast with John Business Briefing with
Networking Reception Kennedy, Diageo Steve Felice, Dell
For business leaders and the
diplomatic corps in Iveagh House

Hosts PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President;

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin TD; and
Minister for Trade and Commerce, Bill Kelleher TD, John Kennedy, Managing Director, Diageo Ireland; Steve Felice, President of Small and Medium
welcome guests. and PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President. Business, Dell.

CALENDAR
Referral Workshop Speed Networking Lunch “Meet the Buyers” – Network and
Date: Tuesday 16 February Date: 24 February Getwork
Time: 8am - 10am Time: 12.00 – 2.00pm Sectors: Construction, Engineering,
Venue: Dublin Chamber of and Environment
Commerce, 7 Clare St., Venue: Dublin Chamber of Date: Thursday 11 March
Dublin 2 Commerce, 7 Clare St., Time: 11.30am - 4.00pm
This event is complimentary to Dublin Dublin 2 Venue: Crowne Plaza Northwood
Chamber members but registration with Places are complimentary to members Please contact sam@dublinchamber.ie if
nicole@dublinchamber.ie is compulsory. but booking with you are interested in attending.
maire@dublinchamber.ie is essential.
Managing Your Business in 2010 Business After Hours
– Survive & Thrive Business Breakfast Venue: Bank of Ireland
Speaker: John Foley, eTEC Consulting Guest Speaker: Date: Thursday 25 March
Services Colm Long, Director, Online Time: 6pm – 8pm
Date: Thursday 18 February Operations EMEA, Facebook Kindly hosted by Bank of
Time: 8.00 - 10.00 am Date: Thursday 4 March Ireland, Mespil Road
Venue: Dublin Chamber of Time: 7.30am Places are complimentary to members
Commerce, 7 Clare St., Venue: The Burlington Hotel but booking with
Dublin 2 Kindly Sponsored by Vodafone maire@dublinchamber.ie is essential.

Haiti Appeal
Dublin Chamber is appealing to members to donate to Irish international humanitarian organisations, such Concern and Oxfam, who are
helping to provide food, water, shelter, sanitation services and medical assistance in Haiti. You can help by making a donation at
www.concern.net or at www.oxfamireland.org

Dublin Chamber of Commerce, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: (01) 644 7200; Fax: (01) 676 6043