Embracing Europe Positive for Limerick
Limerick businesses and institutions need to embrace Europe once again and seize the opportunities it provides. This was the message from Dr Fergal Barry, President of Limerick Chamber, when he addressed over 400 plus of the regions top senior business and government officials at the Limerick Chamber President’s dinner at the Strand Hotel on Friday night (15/11/13).
During his speech he set out why he believes Limerick is about “to become a great city, with ambitions not only to be a destination of choice for investment and tourism, but hopefully an EU Capital of Culture in 2020.”
Acknowledging some of the recent positives for Limerick; one agreed vision for the future through the €250M Limerick 2030 Economic & Spatial Mast Plan; the LCBA joining Limerick Chamber; cohesion and convergence amongst agencies in Limerick with the creation of the Charter Group; the National City of Culture launched, Dr Barry said this will “help everyone re-imagine the true potential and future of our great city.”
Underlining why he believes Europe is so important to businesses he highlighted how Ireland and Limerick has benefited from EU membership over the last 40 years. For instance, businesses and institutions in Limerick have received in excess of €21.5million from 2006 to 2013 through EU Funding.
However, having “lost our way” during the so-called Celtic Tiger years, Dr Barry believes “Ireland needs to embrace our relationship with the EU again” and “make Europe work for us”. There are European Funding Mechanisms that can be utilized more.
“Limerick can lead the way in this regard. Under the new leadership of the Local Authority, Limerick is now seeking European Funding from the JESSICA fund to help kick-start major projects in Limerick’s Economic and Spatial Masterplan. Although in excess of 40 JESSICA Urban Development Holding Funds with 2.6bm are in operation within the EU these mechanisms have never before been used in this State,” he said.
Funding mechanisms also exist for SME’s through national agencies such as Enterprise Ireland. In addition a funding programme of €351bn exists through the ‘Europe 2020, the Innovation Union’ growth and jobs strategy which will be focused on Smart and Inclusive Growth built on competitive business SME’s.
For businesses to effectively access these programmes and lever the support available, he stressed the need for the “most supportive environment” and called on the Limerick Authority to introduce “at least another 5% reduction” in rates. He also said the Chamber looks “forward to the application of a single multiplier to the open market rateable valuation on the completion of both the RV exercise and the amalgamation of the Local Authorities.
In this conclusion, Dr Barry referenced the importance of culture to the economic development of a city. Through the designation of the first National City of Culture, Limerick has “an excellent platform to bid for European Capital of Culture in 2020 – a prestigious designation that has been the catalyst of major urban economic revival and regeneration of some of Europe’s best-known cities.”
In this parting words Dr Barry reiterated that “Connected and together we are stronger. With our European partners we are stronger. Together we will rebuild this city, revive our economy and provide a better quality of life for all. We are part of a diverse and vibrant community and Limerick is a European City on the cusp of greatness.”
Dr Barry’s full speech can be found here.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Edwina Gore, Communications Consultant, Limerick Chamber, 061 217607 or 087 6295323
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