URGENT government support is needed for the Mid West, the President of Limerick Chamber has hit out.
A lack of clear progress and slow pace of policy development is hampering the health, housing, and energy sectors across the Mid West region, Limerick Chamber President Noel Gavin has said.
Speaking at the annual Limerick Chamber President’s Dinner and Regional Business Awards at the Strand Hotel, which was attended this past Friday (November 15) by Taoiseach Simon Harris, the Chamber President said that it is important not to become complacent by focusing on the positive aspects of Ireland’s buoyant economy.
“University Hospital Limerick continues to make headlines for the wrong reasons, housing completions are falling short, and there is a visible absence of policing in many towns and cities,” Mr Gavin said.
“These are critical priorities for the Chamber, and we need a strong signal from decision makers that they are equally prioritised by the Government.
“Additionally, the slow pace of policy development for harnessing renewable energy off the west coast is concerning. Implementing a Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) for the west coast is critical. From 2030, Ireland faces €8billion in annual fines if we fail to meet our emissions and renewable energy targets.”
The Chamber president said that a ‘do nothing’ approach will cost €8billion a yea, “so we urge the incoming government to adopt the ‘do something’ approach and move forward with DMAPs”.
Speaking at the event, Taoiseach Simon Harris said that the Mid West region is “vibrant, innovative, and dynamic”, and commended Limerick Chamber for the support it provides for businesses in the region.
Also speaking at the event was the President of the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Professor Vincent Cunnane, who called for a “grand vision” to be developed for Ireland of 2025, “articulated through a national forum that will bring together the varied strands of thought that we as a people have, to achieve the ambitions, address the fears, hear the concerns and voice the hopes, all with the aim of realising a greater goal.”
“To me, that forum is necessary in this time of discord,” Professor Cunnane said.
Expressing concern about the current global climate of institutional distrust, rising far-right politics, and the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on future generations, Prof Cunnane said that a national conversation could help to counter these trends.
“We have seen the corrosive power of disinformation, the vacuum of inequality, the pain of isolation, all clearly at play in the politics of larger nations and directing their course,” he told those in attendance.
“It seems to me that we are in a period where the temptation is to pretend that it’s business as usual and things will just blow over, but where in fact, we need to act,” the TUS President said.
“AI will influence my grandchildren’s lives in ways that we can scarcely conceive today, and it is unlikely that the climate that we take for granted will be the one that they will live through over the course of their lifetimes.” Prof Cunnane added.
At the Regional Business Awards, the Overall Business of the Year award went to DesignPro Automation, which delivers bespoke solutions for clients across the medical devices, robotics and automotive industries.
The President’s Award went to Milford Care Centre, which provides specialist palliative care and older persons services in the Mid West.
Limerick Chamber Michelle Gallagher said that “these businesses are part of the fabric of this great region and it’s so important for them to get this independent recognition and validation from our panel of judges. I’d like to extend a huge congratulations to everyone here tonight on an exceptional year in business”.
