Dear Fellow Member,

Thelastyearhasbeenachallengingyearforbusinessesineverysector;ayearwherethegreatestpainhasbeenshoulderedbythosewhohavelosttheirjobsandtheirbusiness.Companieshavesoughttoadaptswiftlytothisnewbusinessenvironment,bycuttingcostsandfocusingonbecomingleaner,fitterandsmarter.Thegoodnewsisthatoureconomyisbecomingmorecompetitiveandbetterpreparedforapositivefutureasaresult.

Achievements

In 2009, the Chamber sought to helpcompanies adapt to this new environment byproviding more opportunities for businessdevelopment and by firmly putting theenterprise agenda to Government. AsGovernment sets the tone of confidence inthe country, we called on them to recognisethe damage being done to businesses rightacross the country and bring forwardinitiatives that would both protect jobs andfirms, and stimulate confidence and generatewealth. Some of our key achievements whichwe secured on your behalf in 2009 include:1. We sought and gained a commitment fromGovernment departments to pay alltheir bills to suppliers within 15 days of their invoicing;2. The proposal for a 24/7 bus gate atCollege Green was abandoned in favour of public transport priority access duringmorning and evening peak times, Mondayto Friday, only;3. We successfully campaigned for a yes votefor the second Lisbon referendum; and,4. On foot of the recommendations outlinedin our 2010 Budget submission:(a) Excise duty on beer, cider, spirits and winewas reduced;(b) Public sector wages were reduced, and anew pension scheme for all new publicservants was introduced; and(c) Government reconfirmed its commitmentto public transport projects (Metro Northand the Dart Underground).(d) The Government also signalled thebroadening of the tax base of localgovernment beyond business rates whilenot increasing personal or corporatetax rates.Overall, the Chamber was pleased to notethe balance of spending cuts and taxincreases in Budget 2010, and will continueto lobby on your behalf to seek more detailfrom Government as to how it will balance itsbooks by 2014.

YourVoice

The feedback that we received through ourmember surveys during the course of theyear clearly highlighted that reducing costs isthe primary concern of business.At a national level, our Budget submissioncalled for a ‘Bord Snip’ for local governmentto identify and cut the waste and duplicationthat occurs at local level. This request hasbeen answered, and in mid-2010 a reporton the efficiency of local authorities willbe delivered.At a local level, we have run an aggressivecampaign directed at Dublin TDs, Councillorsand local officials to cut commercial rates.Our campaign to cut commercial rates hasbeen successful across the four localauthorities in Dublin with cuts of betweentwo and five per cent.

MeetingtheChallenge

Over the course of 2009, Dublin Chambersignificantly ramped up the volume of services to help members respond to thesechallenging times. With a great team here atthe Chamber, and the help of our sponsorsthroughout the year, we have continued toimprove our events, deliver more businessinformation and strengthen our position asthe ‘voice of Dublin’ business.Attendance at Chamber functions was atrecord levels in 2009, increasing by 25 percent with 10,000 attendees at the 100Chamber events held. Members heard from arange of prominent political and businessspeakers at our feature events including AnTaoiseach Brian Cowen, Minister BrianLenihan, Denis O’Brien and John Pearsonfrom Virgin Radio. The Chamber also ranregular free courses throughout the year on‘how to improve your networking skills’ soyou can make the most of the opportunitiesour events programme offered for personaland business development.

AWordofThanks

I would like to thank you all for your excellentcontributions throughout 2009. It is becauseof you that the Dublin Chamber is thepremier networking organisation in the cityand the powerful voice of Dublin business.Thank you sincerely for your continuedparticipation and support.

Warmest Regards,PJ TimminsPresident

DUBLIN BUSINESS

connecting | influencing

January 2010

DUBLINBUSINESS

influencing decisions...

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

In 2009, attendances increased by 25 per cent at Chamber events with 10,000 guests at 100 events.Ken Murnaghan, Regional Director, Ulster Bank; PJTimmins, Dublin Chamber President; and DeclanFitzgerald, MD of Business Banking, Ulster Bank, at Business After Hours in Ulster Bank.

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

connecting business...

Christmas Networking Lunchwith John Pearson, co-founderof Virgin Radio

DUBLINBUSINESS

Mark Cunningham, Director of Business Banking,Bank of Ireland; John Pearson, co-founder of VirginRadio; PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; and Keith Barry, leading magician and illusionist.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.

Dinner in Camera with ValQuinn, Coca-Cola

An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen TD; PJ Timmins, DublinChamber President; Robert Gallagher, Chief Executive, Ulster Bank Corporate Markets; and GinaQuin, Dublin Chamber Chief Executive.

AGM Dinner with TaoiseachBrian Cowen

Joe Grogan, Chief Executive Officer, Marsh Ireland;PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; CharlesBarry, Deputy CEO; and Paul Rellis, ManagingDirector of Microsoft Ireland.

Business Members’ Lunch inCamera with Paul Rellis,Microsoft

Simon Wainwright, CEO, HSBC Ireland; Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan TD; and PJ Timmins, DublinChamber President.

Dinner in Camera with MinisterBrian Lenihan

PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; MartinMurphy, Managing Director; Alan Duffy, Head of Corporate Banking Ireland, HSBC.

Dinner in Camera with MartinMurphy, Hewlett-Packard

PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; and Michael Cheika, Coach, Leinster Rugby.

Business Breakfast withLeinster Coach Michael Cheika

PJ Timmins, Dublin Chamber President; and DenisO’Brien, Chairman, Digicel.

Annual Dinner with DenisO’Brien and MinisterBrian Lenihan

2009 IN REVIEW

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