What a year it has been, twelve months ago we met here in the midst of financial crises, with gathering storm clouds from Fanny Mae and Anglo Irish.  While we had a feeling of foreboding then, it was in a sense the calm before the storm.  Our customers were still spending like there  was no tomorrow but if it was a feast  - it was in many ways like a  wild New Orleans Mardi Gras –  a last  fling before the penance of lent to come with the dawn. 

The storm arrived with the New Year and unleashed a 3 month frenzy of cost cutting as companies struggled to cut costs, reducing salaries, cancelling and renegotiating all purchase contracts, breaking long standing relationships – good and bad and letting many good people go in the process.

While we have seen some stability in the period since that era of wild cuts, the last quarter has seen us face the considerable uncertainty as to what the government is going to do next, both in terms of Lisbon which we are delighted to see passed, Nama Legislation, now also passed and finally the pending budget – which has cast a long shadow over the economy and created fear and uncertainty among consumers and as a result business. 

Local Government across Ireland which has struggled with the recession with reduced income from levies and charges faces the same challenges to keep costs in line with lower income and must be seen to act decisively without increasing rates as an easy solution.  Your chamber has worked closely with Dunlaoghaire Rathdown County Council and while we may not secure the 8% cut in rates we sought, we are confident that a cut will be achieved.

Your Chamber of Commerce has responded magnificently to the challenge.  I am proud to tell you, that through the efforts of Chamber staff along with the council and members, the Chamber has increased its membership this year.  The Chamber has responded to the challenge with a wider programme of events tailored to meeting members’ needs.  The networking events have been sold out and what’s more, the buzz and number of new faces at the events reflect the fact that our members are doing business at these evenings as well as socialising.  The Golf programme was pared back, lunch meetings have been reduced and early morning and evening events are thriving.  The chamber staff have generously and bravely faced the cuts and redoubled their efforts on your behalf.

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown has a long history of economic leadership and innovation of which the Chamber has been part for seventy years.  The people of this county have seen many economic cycles and have always shown the strength and character needed to persevere and succeed.  That is especially true today.

The Government has rightly placed high hopes on Green Tech to deliver growth and recovery for the economy, much as IT and Pharmaceuticals have done in the past.  Dunlaoghaire Rathdown has an incredible depth of talent in this area and is poised to be the key driver of growth as the economy recovers.  In our county and in our Chamber we have a host of world leading companies that are shaping the face of the earth as we address the climate change agenda, including Airtricity,  Wind Capital, Green Plains Energy,  Greenstar,  Kedco and Mainstream Renewable Power. Through the County Environmental Awards we are part of a team helping showcase new and growing firms like Cool Power and Green Aer,

The Chamber programme for 2010 is taking shape with some groundbreaking new plans including a Chief Executive Forum to take place in the spring.  Looking at tonight’s attendees, I see a healthy mix of new and long-term Chamber members and first time visitors.  I hope you had time during the reception to meet one another.  After we finish this evening’s dinner and presentation, there will be ample time to finish those conversations.

We thank you for your continued support, we urge you to continue to become more involved with your Chamber and we are very much open for business in 2010, thank you