Introduction
It is a pleasure to be back with you this evening - with "the voice of Dublin business" - on the occasion of your AGM dinner.
I am also delighted to see Northern Ireland's First Minister, Ian Paisley, here this evening, having visited him last week in Ballymena. And this morning, we were together with our respective Ministerial colleagues at a fruitful Plenary Meeting of the North South Ministerial Council.
Needless to say, the political landscape on this island has changed remarkably since this time last year. We have now, throughout this island, a range of opportunities open to us that were simply not there before.
I know that the business community is particularly alive to these opportunities; and the Chambers, spread as they are North and South, are in prime position to ensure that we capitalise on them.
For our part, Government in the South and the Executive in the North are engaging in joint strategic projects that will be of mutual benefit.
Economic Prospects
In today's globalised economy, Ireland - North and South - cannot compete as a lowest-cost place to do business. Of course, minimising our cost levels remains important, but our real competitive advantage is our knowledge base and capacity for innovation. In simple terms, we have to be smarter, quicker and more adaptable than our competitors.
Despite the current volatility on international financial markets, and the expected slowdown in our own housing sector, we can remain confident about our future economic prospects.
This year the economy will grow at approximately 2.5%, with even the most conservative commentators predicting an upward curve to 4% growth in the years afterwards.
Although these are slower rates than we have been accustomed to in recent years, they show the steady and sustainable growth which remains a solid bedrock for the Irish economy and Irish jobs.
Now this Government must - and will - take prudent decisions with a firm eye to the long-term. We will keep a steady hand on the tiller, and we will not let short term populism overtake long term growth. That is why the Government has made delivery of the National Development Plan our priority.
Knowledge City Region
We know that dynamic city regions and vibrant rural regions will increasingly be a cornerstone of economic prosperity. That is why the Government shares the Chamber's vision for Dublin as a Knowledge City Region.
The Chamber has rightly emphasised the importance of a world class telecommunications system if we are to realise this vision of a Knowledge City Region.
My colleague, the Minister for Communications, will publish a policy paper in March assessing market developments and considering the optimum role for Government in the move to Next Generation Networks.
I have also been discussing with Minister Ryan how we can best co-ordinate a whole-of-Government approach to achieving the sort of outcomes we need to underpin the Knowledge Economy. This will be reflected in a new Knowledge Society Action Plan. I look forward to this proactive approach bringing a new dynamic to the use of ICT by Government and citizens in our daily lives and work.
Spatial Planning
Of course, the entire island is recording huge rates of population growth, which could see a total population on this island of over seven million by 2020. Intelligent spatial planning is therefore crucial to sustainable growth across the island.
That is why the National Spatial Strategy is at the very heart of the €185 billion investment provided for under the NDP. For the first time, the Plan also acknowledges the need to take account of the North-South dimension in policies and programmes.
I think there is agreement that we must act together to unlock the full potential of all the regions - including Dublin - if we are to meet our aspirations to sustainable economic, social and environmental development for future generations.
That means a successful Dublin with strong links to other regional growth centres on the island. These centres will in turn be complemented with strong and vibrant rural communities.
Infrastructure/ Transport 21
Central to this vision for the new Ireland is better infrastructure. Under the NDP, we will spend €100 billion over the next seven years, almost 6% of GNP, to upgrade our national infrastructure.
Our investment in Transport 21 includes a fully integrated transport system for the Greater Dublin Area, involving an expanded Luas system and two Metro lines, linked with existing rail and DART services.
Delivering a transport programme on this scale is an enormous challenge. But we have made good progress in the first two years, and we are determined to press ahead quickly and with minimum delays.
Dublin's connections to the rest of the island will be strengthened significantly by the completion of the five major inter-urban routes, which the NRA is on target to deliver by 2010. This includes the vital M50 upgrade.
On the public transport side, highlights in 2007 included the new railway station in the Docklands; the beginning of construction on the Cherrywood and Docklands Luas extensions; and the Kildare Route project.
Other Developments
There are many other projects underway which should give us confidence in the future of this City. These include the:
- construction of the National Conference Centre;
- redevelopment of Grangegorman;
- new cultural landmark projects including the relocation of the Abbey Theatre to Docklands, plans for redevelopment and expansion of the National Concert Hall and new concert venues planned for the Point and Grand Canal Quay; and
- the new stadium at Lansdowne Road.
Dublin Port
Another major achievement has been the transformation of the Dublin Docklands in recent years - and there is clearly potential to build on that success. Sustainable communities close to public transport are the model for the future.
In this context, my colleague, the Minister for Transport, is working to progress an important study on the future role of Dublin Port. Given the strategic significance of the Port, I know that we can count on constructive engagement with the Dublin Chamber in shaping the best way forward for Dublin and Ireland.
Local Government Reform
I also want to touch briefly on the issue of local government reform. The Government will shortly publish a Green Paper, setting out our options in a number of key areas. Of particular interest to tonight's audience will be the proposal to introduce a directly elected mayor with executive powers for Dublin by 2011.
I welcome the Chamber's engagement with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, on this reform process.
We hope the questions posed by the Green Paper, and the options it presents, will give rise to a lively debate and eventually to a degree of consensus on the way ahead.
EU Reform Treaty
I would like to spend a few moments talking about the EU Reform Treaty. I believe this Treaty will be good for the European Union, good for Ireland and good for Irish Business.
I also want to assure you that, in the negotiations on the Treaty, all of Ireland's key negotiating concerns were satisfied. The Reform Treaty retains our national veto on key issues like defence and taxation.
As I have said before, the Treaty changes nothing on corporation tax. Tonight, I want to reiterate to the business community that Ireland will vigourously oppose any moves towards the harmonisation of tax. It is - and will remain - a non-negotiable for this Government.
The reality is that the Reform Treaty will bring about an EU better equipped to handle the major challenges such as globalisation, migration and climate change - an EU which will work for the benefit of our citizens and businesses, helping to sustain economic growth and promote job creation.
Tonight, I want to urge you to join with me in promoting the EU Reform Treaty. If you share my view that it is good for Ireland, good for Irish business and good for Irish jobs, then it is not enough that you vote "YES". You must actively encourage others to vote "YES" too.
Conclusion
As a nation, we certainly should not underestimate the pressures arising from recent economic trends. However, the reality is that the fundamentals of the Irish economy remain strong.
Now we must plan strategically to ensure that the growth we have known is safeguarded and strengthened.
Now we must take the opportunity to affirm our credentials on the European and global stage. This can be best achieved by supporting the Yes vote on the Reform Treaty.
Working together we can substantially strengthen the profile which Dublin and its business community now rightly enjoys on the European and international stage.
Continued cooperation will ensure we can drive Dublin and Ireland forward in the years ahead as a place in which to live and do business.
Thank you very much for your attention.
ENDS