Unanimous cross-party support received for N4/N5 motorway upgrade project from Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport Tourism and Sport.

A grouping titled the N4/N5 Joint Affiliated Chambers comprising nine Chambers of Commerce and Industry from the Midlands, West and North-West of Ireland today met with the Oireachtas Joint Committee for Transport Tourism and Sport. The aim of the session was to highlight the necessity to include the N4/N5 motorway upgrade project in the mid-term Capital Programme review currently been undertaken by the government.
Councillor Seamus Butler of Longford Chamber of Commerce and industry introduced the members of the delegation to the Committee and indicated that this was a key piece of infrastructure for a wide region of the country. Mr Butler stated “This project has the potential to increase development opportunities and bring new business to the region now and into the future.”
Dr. Brian McCann of Sligo IT gave detailed evidence to the committee in relation to the necessity for a road upgrade to the regions primarily since the N4/N5 corridor is one of the main arterial routes in the country and the last one to be developed. Professor McCann highlighted significant statistics supporting the argument for the upgrade of the roads, not least that part of the road network there is currently running at 120% capacity.
Ciaran Corcoran, Site Director of Abbott Longford and currently President of Ibec in the Midlands region provided his overview on how adequate road infrastructure dovetailed with economic and inward investment into the country and indeed the regions serviced by these roads.
A recommendation made by Fine Gael Senator John O’Mahony which was seconded by Fiánna Fail TD, Robert Tory and supported by all parties attending the Committee will see a recommendation that Minister includes the project in the upcoming Capital Programme review. Chairman of the Committee, Brendan Griffin of Fine Gael also indicated that he would ensure that minutes of the meeting would be forwarded to Minister Ross and Minister Donohoe such was the importance of the project.
The next stage of the programme to move this project forward will be a request to meet with An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD and Minister Donohoe to impress upon them the importance of this project.
Commenting following the meeting Derek Scanlon, President of Longford Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated “The investment required for the design stage of the next phase of the project from Mullingar to the Leitrim border is in the order of only €5 million over the next three years. That level of investment will see the project ready for CPO and construction once funding becomes available. This project has the potential to impact positively the entire Midlands, West and North-West region for decades to come.”

A Discussion on Retail Excellence
Longford County Council, in conjunction with Longford Chamber of Commerce, is delighted to announce that David Fitzsimons, Chief Executive Officer of Retail Excellence, will visit Longford on Tuesday 30 May for A Discussion on Retail Excellence. The seminar which is open to anyone involved directly or indirectly in retailing in the County will be held in the Longford Arms Hotel on Tuesday May 30 at 6:30pm.
David was involved with the establishment of Retail Excellence in 1995, when he worked with South Dublin Chamber of Commerce. David oversees the strategic direction and operations of this not for profits organisation. Retail Excellence is Ireland’s largest retail industry body representing the interests of 1,600 leading companies who employ 110,000 people in the Irish market. David sits on a number of global retail committees including the NRF Global Retail Council. John will give an honest assessment of what is needed in Longford to raise the County’s profile as a retail destination.
This event will provide an opportunity to begin the conversation around developing a road map for the continued development of our retail sector, improvements in public realm and positive engagement with consumers. It will also provide an opportunity to build on the recently launched Framework for Town Centre Renewal. The event will also to consider the challenges and opportunities for those involved in the retail business and look at positive ways to attract consumers to the towns and villages in the county. David will make a short presentation after which attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and debate issues relevant to their own businesses. A reception will be held after the event to facilitate networking and sharing of ideas.

We would be delighted if you could join us.

Chamber of Commerce Launch “Shop in Longford” Vouchers

Longford Chamber of Commerce and Industry has this week launched its latest initiative  – ‘Shop In Longford’ to help encourage local communities to shop locally this Christmas. The Chamber of Commerce has started a Shop in Longford Voucher scheme aimed at businesses and individuals that may be considering purchasing a gift voucher for either a valued employee, a friend or loved one.

The scheme is being launched at an opportune time since the Government increased the limit in 2016 on the amount of tax free vouchers that a business could give to their employees to €500. This means that any business can give their employee a €500 bonus without a tax implication for either the employer or the employee.

Longford Chamber of Commerce has already signed up a large number of local retailers who have agreed to participate in the scheme and take the voucher. The Vouchers come in denominations of €50, €25 and €10 and are available to be purchased from the Longford Chamber of Commerce offices on Market Square in Longford, the Longford Chamber of Commerce website www.longfordchamber.ie or by email to info@longfordchamber.ie.     

Longford Chamber President, Derek Scanlon has welcomed the launch “Businesses locally are only beginning to feel the benefit of an economic recovery and there are still a lot of potential threats out there and so we need to ensure where possible that consumers continue to shop locally and discover the wide range and variety that is available in Longford.” Mr Scanlon continued “We need to work together as a community. Our national broadcaster is promoting the ‘value’ that is available across the border on the national airways and yet ignores the fantastic value that is available within our own communities. Shopping locally helps create and sustain employment locally for our friends and family. I would urge anyone considering buying a voucher this year to purchase a ‘Shop In Longford’ voucher.”  

For media queries please contact:

Derek Scanlon, 085 862 0005, email: president@longfordchamber.ie

Lisa Brady, 087 778 6831, email: info@longfordchamber.ie

Longford Chamber of Commerce and Industry has this evening called for an immediate response from the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Minister for Social Protection to their call for a ring fenced training fund to be put in place for the workers that are to be made redundant from the Cameron factory in Longford Town.

Longford Chamber President, Derek Scanlon has likened today’s Cameron redundancy announcement to the loss of the Dell employment in Limerick City in 2009. Mr Scanlon states: “The Government back then got to action immediately following the Dell job losses and we are calling on the Government now to take the same proactive steps for the former Cameron workers in Longford. The loss of 170 jobs in Longford will have the same economic impact on Longford Town and County that the 2,400 Dell jobs had in Limerick”.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry believes that there are other potential job opportunities in the region for the redundant workers but re-skilling and re-training would be a fundamental part of the process for those workers in seeking new employment. Mr Scanlon went on to say “This re-training and re-skilling should take place in Longford and it should take place immediately and these workers should not have to wait until they have been on the live register for a length of time before they can access re-training assistance. We have many venues that can cater for such activity but it is fundamentally important that Government Action is taken on this matter urgently.

Mr Scanlon went on to say “The Government also has a responsibility to ensure that the IDA puts a focus back on Longford to help in replacing the lost jobs. In particular the government needs to ensure that sufficient attention and visits by FDI companies occur. According to the IDA own statistics Longford had 2 IDA visits in 2015 while the other counties in the IDA Midlands region had many more – Westmeath with 28; Laois 4 and Offaly 8. This highlights the great divide created by the IDA and Central Government.”

Mr Scanlon went onto to offer on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, his sincere sympathies to the workers, their families and the community at large that supplied into the Cameron factory and vowed that the Chamber of Commerce would be to the forefront standing with the workers and their families.

Ends

For media queries please contact:

Derek Scanlon, 085 862 0005, email: president@longfordchamber.ie

Longford Chamber of Commerce & Industry President, Fintan McGill, has reiterated the business group’s support for the €233m Center Parcs project for Co Longford.

The ambitious project is currently the subject of a number of planning appeals to An Bord Pleanála. Speaking today, the President said that the planning application has already been rigorously reviewed and approved by Longford Co Council. And he added: “We respect the public’s right to appeal any planning decision and I am satisfied that An Bord Pleanála will be able to work through any remaining issues, should any come to light.”

The Chamber President went on to emphasise how important the project will be to Co Longford and said: “It is one of the largest tourism projects for the entire country and it would put Ballymahon and consequently Co Longford front and centre stage as a tourist destination. That is something we have long campaigned for.”

Mr McGill also paid tribute to the role played by the executive of Longford Co Council in advancing the project. He said: “Center Parcs did not happen overnight and there was a huge amount of preparatory work from the executive of the Council and I want to acknowledge and commend their input. I would also single out the efforts of the planning department who had to process more than eighty submissions in relation to the development.”

An Bord Pleanála is expected to rule on the appeals by the end of July and subject to a favourable outcome, Mr McGill is hopeful that building work could commence straight away. He said: “The senior management from Center Parcs have been very open from the outset. They engaged with the public from the get-go and in all my dealings with them, I have found them to be honourable and extremely committed to this project.”

And he went on to add: “Center Parcs will be good for Ireland and good for Irish tourism but it will be great for Co Longford. It will bring much needed jobs, both direct and indirectly and it will shine a bright light on the county’s huge but heretofore hidden tourism potential.”

 For further information, contact:

 Fintan McGill

President

Longford Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Mobile: 087 – 242 6388