County Tipperary Chambers of Commerce

Politician(s) lobbied: Pat English (Councillor), Tipperary County Council; John Fitzgerald (Councillor), Tipperary County Council; Richie Molloy (Councillor), Tipperary County Council; Siobhan Ambrose (Councillor), Tipperary County Council; Tom Acheson (Councillor), Tipperary County Council

Intent: To secure awareness, engagement and support from elected members of Tipperary County Council for the development of a proposed Business Improvement District.::The intended result was to build understanding of the BID proposal and its potential role in supporting town centre regeneration, business confidence, footfall, public realm improvements, safety, accessibility, events, promotion, vacancy and dereliction, and wider local economic development.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Brian Beck (Acting Director of Service), Tipperary County Council; Sinead Carr (Chief Executive Officer), Tipperary County Council

Intent: To encourage Tipperary County Council to actively support and promote the Shopfront Grant so that more local businesses would be aware of, apply for and benefit from the scheme.The intended result was to improve uptake of the grant among eligible businesses, support investment in business premises and shopfront improvements, enhance the appearance and vibrancy of town centres, and strengthen footfall, business confidence and local economic activity across County Tipperary.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Transport

Intent: To secure clarity from Minister Canney on the delivery pathway, prioritisation and projected timelines for the Thurles Bypass, including the next key milestone, timeframe toward planning approval and construction, and how the project is sequenced within the current roads and capital investment programme.::The Chamber sought to highlight the importance of the Thurles Bypass for reducing congestion, improving freight efficiency, supporting SME productivity, enhancing road safety and strengthening regional competitiveness.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Seán Canney (Minister of State), Department of Transport

Intent: County Tipperary Chamber engaged on the Limerick–Nenagh bus timetable issue, raising concerns regarding public transport connectivity and the impact on workers, students, businesses and communities. The Chamber sought further information and practical consideration of timetable arrangements to better support access to employment, education, services and regional economic activity.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Helen McEntee (Minister), Department of Justice

Intent: To ensure that business community priorities are reflected in the Clare–Tipperary Garda Annual Service Plan 2026, particularly in relation to retail crime, rural crime, fraud/cyber scams, business safety, Garda visibility and stronger Garda-business engagement across County Tipperary.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Alan Kelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mattie McGrath (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Murphy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Murphy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: To ensure that the final Parking Bye-Laws 2026 adopted by Tipperary County Council take account of the economic impact on town-centre businesses across the county.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: Advocacy for increased and more accessible investment in skills development and workforce training through the National Training Fund

Methods: Event / Reception

Politician(s) lobbied: Micheál Martin (Taoiseach), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: Continued and increased Government commitment to supporting regional and rural enterprise.Recognition of the role of Chambers of Commerce as delivery partners for economic development.Policy decisions that reflect the needs of SMEs and indigenous businesses in County Tipperary.Ongoing engagement between Government and the business community on enterprise supports, infrastructure, and competitiveness.

Methods: Event / Reception

Politician(s) lobbied: Ken Spratt (Secretary General), Department of Transport

Intent: To influence transport policy and ensure that the needs of businesses in Tipperary and the wider region are considered in national transport planning and investment.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (MEP), European Parliament

Intent: To ensure the concerns and priorities of Tipperary businesses are represented at EU level, and to strengthen relationships with Ireland’s MEPs.

Methods: Meeting