Speech: Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce 40th Birthday
September 23rd, 2005It is a great honour to be here tonight, as a representative of the Town Council, of the people of the town and as a representative of a business that is a member of the Chamber.
At times, the relationship between the Chamber and the Council has been, to put it mildly, strained. In recent years we have been able to move beyond these former differences, and have worked together on many projects for the betterment of the Town as a whole. In my own time on the council, we have worked closely on a variety of issues including CCTV, with the funding application going in just last week, and the largest event ever held in Letterkenny, namely the 2005 All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil.
The Chamber of Commerce plays an important part in life in Letterkenny. From the Christmas lights, to the old Shopping Spree and the new “Shop LK� promotion, and not to forget St Patricks Day, the work of the Chamber is visible throughout the year to everyone who visits the Town. As a business support organisation, the Chamber helps businesses both new and old to work together and to network. As a lobbying agency, the Chamber works very effectively to fight the corner for local business, as I’m sure my fellow Councillors and I will find out when it comes time to set the local budget and Commercial Rates for next year.
In recent years, the Chamber has grown in membership, in staff and in impact. With the advent of the North West Business Project, Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce has become an active cross-border lobbying organisation. Add this to the range of Training and Business Development courses which the Chamber facilitates, and it becomes clear how important the Chamber of Commerce has become.
Letterkenny would not have developed into the town it has become, without the excellent work of the Chamber of Commerce. In my own business career, I owe the Chamber a great debt of gratitude. When Jack O’Herlihy was President, and I was getting started with this new-fangled Internet thing, the Chamber were greatly supportive. I can only hope that, in my new role as an elected representative, I can repay the favour.
The secret of Letterkenny’s success has been the partnership between the Business, Community, Educational and Political organisations. I am sure that, by working together, we can help make the next 40 years as succesful as the last 40.
In closing, I’d just like to say Happy Birthday, and Many happy returns!