10 February 2016
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Cork Chamber today launched its pre-election manifesto ‘Cork’s Call – A Vision for 2021’. This Manifesto sets out the Chamber’s long term strategic goals for reform, investment and economic development in order for Cork and Ireland to be a more attractive place to live, work and invest by 2021.
Speaking at the launch of the Manifesto, Barrie O’Connell, President of Cork Chamber, said: “With a regional population of approximately 500,000 and a strong population growth projection, it is critical that the enablers of future sustainable economic and community development within Cork are pursued by our general election candidates.”
“Above all, the incoming Government must provide the stability and political leadership required to sustain our economic recovery and proactively make decisions to ensure Ireland and Cork retains its competitiveness in an increasingly globalised market. We challenge each party to achieve an appropriate balance between investment, providing essential services efficiently, while maintaining an appropriately broad tax base which is attractive for individuals and companies to locate and live here. A key policy area must be to increase the supply of private sector residential houses so we can ‘House our Jobs’”, Mr. O’Connell continued.
Commenting on the vision of Cork Chamber, Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber, explained: “Cork Chamber calls on all parties and election candidates to consider the long term sustainability of our economy when developing economic policies before and after the election. Our manifesto sets out what we and the business community of Cork believe to be the strategic priorities needed to deliver our vision for a thriving society and economy in Cork and nationally by 2021. These priorities are set out under five categories ranging from issues relevant to entrepreneurs and business owners and to Cork’s positioning within the Irish economy. The five categories are: Housing our Jobs, Protecting our Region, Investing in our Future, Supporting our Businesses and Capitalising on Cork’s Strengths. By targeting key actions under these priorities, we will be in a strong position to future-proof our economy, create a desirable society, and once and for all position Cork as the Southern Driver of Growth.”
