Issues on which your feedback to us or others is requested

1. Chambers Ireland Economic Survey 2019

The annual Chambers Ireland Economic Survey 2019, in collaboration with Eurochambres, is *now open* and will run for two months until the 28^th of September.

The survey takes no more than 2 minutes to complete.

The survey is available from this link – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWMM929

If you have any questions, please contact emma.kerins@chambers.ie

2. Chambers Ireland Budget Dialogue, 26th September 2018

Chambers Ireland will be hosting a Budget Dialogue on Wednesday 26^th of September in The Merrion Hotel from 10am until 12pm.

This event is an important opportunity for Chambers to lobby your local TDs directly on your Chamber’s recommendations ahead of the upcoming Budget 2019. Our Chief Executive Ian Talbot will make a couple of short presentations during the event on Chambers Ireland’s Pre-Budget Submission. We will have a photographer present throughout the morning and photographs will be circulated to each local Chamber directly after the event for local PR opportunities.

Chambers Ireland have informed all TDs of the event, but we ask that every Chamber ensures that their local Politicians are in attendance.

Due to limited capacity at the venue we are only able to cater for 2 attendees from each Chamber.

Please confirm the two representatives attending from your Chamber by COB on Friday 31^st August to james.kiernan@chambers.ie

 

3. Reminder: Update your website with the new Membership Video

Our Chamber Network membership video has recently been updated with our new branding. Please update the Membership video on your own online platforms and then share on your social media channels.

The Membership Video is a great resource for the Chamber Network and a useful tool for new membership recruitment and engagement within the Chamber.

Attached is a quick guide which will help your Chamber make the most of the Membership Video which is available on www.chambers.ie and on the Chambers Ireland YouTube channel.

The video can also be downloaded here: https://we.tl/7dUu0HDaT1

Any queries on the video please contact leona.murphy@chambers.ie

 

 

4. Public Consultation on DRAFT ‘Urban Development and Building Heights Guidelines for Planning Authorities’

The Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government recently published draft guidelines to set out new and updated national planning policy on building heights in relation to urban areas. These draft guidelines will, after a focused period of public consultation, be finalised and issued by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).

The deadline for submissions to the Department is 5pm September 24^th.

Chambers Ireland intends to make a submission on this subject and we would greatly appreciate the views of Chambers and your members.

Please send feedback to Elisha by September 14^th at elisha.collierobrien@chambers.ie

Further information and the draft guidelines can be found here: https://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/guidelines/public-consultation-draft-urban-development-and-building-heights-guidelines

 

Topics to send out to your members

5. Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation – Competitive Start funds for Overseas Entrepreneurs

Heather Humphreys TD last week announced two new Competitive Start Funds (CSF) totalling up to €1 million to support overseas entrepreneurs and start-ups led by experienced business professionals. The funds, which will run simultaneously will be administered by Enterprise Ireland.

Each Fund will provide up to €50,000 in equity funding for up to 10 successful applicants and will open for submissions from *tomorrow* on Tuesday, 21st August and will close on Tuesday, 4th September.

This CSF is part of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for increasing the number and quality of High Potential Start-Up Companies (HPSUs) that have the potential to employ more than 10 persons and achieve €1 million in export sales within three years.

Full details on the Competitive Start Fund, including the application form can be accessed on the Enterprise Ireland website: www.enterprise-ireland.com/CSF

 

 

6. Bain & Company’s 2018 Diversity & Inclusion Survey – please participate & share

The 30% Club UK, the organisation which campaigns for greater representation of women on the boards of FTSE100 boards with a target of a minimum of 30%, are working with Bain & Company in surveying employee views on diversity and inclusion in the we workplace, and have offered the opportunity for Irish organisations to also participate.

If this is something you would be interested in supporting, you can take the survey by using this link:

https://qsharingeu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1HpPw1hWRbMQ91j

The survey takes 15 – 20 minute and your responses will be completely anonymous and confidential.

The survey will close on 7 September 2018.

 

 

7. Russo British Chamber of Commerce – Trade Mission to Moscow and the Moscow Region: 28 October 2018 – 1 November 2018

The Russo British Chamber of Commerce (RBCC) is planning a Trade Mission to Moscow and the Moscow Region on 28 October – 1 November. The aim of the trade mission is to match UK and Irish companies with Russian companies in Moscow city, Elektrostal, Pavlovsy Posad and Electrogorsk.

The mission will focus on the following sectors: pharma, education, manufacturing, logistics, textiles and Chemical Industries.

Preliminary work has begun on developing a programme for delegates and the RBCC will be in touch with the Russian Embassy in Dublin when further information is provided.

More information on the mission can be found via this link:

http://www.rbcc.com/events/rbcc-trade-mission-to-moscow-region-28-10-18-01-11-18/

 

8. Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation – Brexit Preparedness Notices

In the event of no agreement being reached between the EU and the UK in the Brexit negotiations, the European Commission has prepared a list of notices to help businesses prepare across various business areas and are available to view on the Commission’s website: European Commission Brexit Preparedness

The Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation (DBEI) is encouraging firms to review these notices and consider relevant actions that may be required in terms of Brexit.

 

 

If you have any queries, please contact our EU & International Affairs Manager Emma Kerins: Emma.Kerins@chambers.ie

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