Official opening of Fitzpatrick Morris Barrett Chartered Accountants new offices at Sir John Rogersons Quay
Standing here among you this evening I can not help but remember with fondness my great business studies teacher, Cyril Coughlan, who gave me my love of accountancy. Such was the enthusiasm he inspired that I found myself doing trial balances and balance sheets on the school bus just for the fun of it!
I am delighted to be here with you this evening to officially open your beautiful new offices and to welcome you as one of the first Accounting firms to move into the Dublin Docklands area. In becoming Docklanders you have shown something of a pioneering spirit in the business community. But I gather that since you moved here in July, literally on top of the builders, you have come to appreciate even more just what the area has to offer in terms of the general ambiance of the river front and the quality of the new buildings.
I am sure that this will be music to the ears of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, who are currently driving one of the most exciting and far sighted development projects ever undertaken in Ireland. This rejuvenation programme is already bringing new commercial and residential life into this traditionally industrial area. It entails a massive programme of social, economic and physical regeneration of 520 hectares of prime river-side land.
The ambitious15 year project is a strategic partnership between the public and private sectors which will see the population of the Docklands increase to 42,500 by 2012 and the construction of more than 11,000 new homes. It will also create up to 40,000 new jobs.
These are definitely progressive and changing times for the docklands area. And this company has itself been no stranger to change and growth since it was founded by Tom and Kevin in 1988. It is also notable that FMB Chartered Accountants has already played a part in the regeneration of Dublin through the development of a new office in Christchurch in 1991 as part of the then Dublin Redevelopment Programme. Following a period in Dublin 4, the firm now finds itself once again in a major redevelopment area.
Through hard work this business has been built up to a four partner medium sized chartered accountancy practice, that prides itself on giving a quality and personal service.
With a wide base of clients, both large and small, I know FMB Chartered Accountants have extensive experience dealing with professional accounts, distribution companies, building firms, travel agencies and financial services companies, including credit unions.
As well as the core accounting business, the practice also provides services in the area of corporate and personal financial planning together with financial reconstruction and management advice. This is in addition to your payroll bureau dealing with payroll processing on behalf of your clients.
I would like to pay tribute to the FMB partners and to congratulate them on the success of their practice. I know Tom Fitzpatrick has been involved in audit and professional accounting affairs for many years. He is a former chairman of the board of management of the Institute of Accounting Technicians, and is currently a member of council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
Kevin Morris, has also been involved in Institute committee work for some time. I know that David McArdle was your first accounting trainee and manages IT developments within the company. July of this year saw the appointment of John MacNally who has brought a wealth of knowledge in the taxation planning/consulting area, adding a new dimension to the practice.
Finally, I would like to thank Tom Fitzpatrick for his kind invitation here this evening and to wish you all continued success in your new premises. I am sure you are looking forward to working with the many other businesses that are located here, now and in the future. I am glad to see that, as I am myself, you are fully committed to the future of Dublin's Docklands.
Thank you.
Ends.