Politician(s) lobbied: Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Alison Comyn (Senator), Seanad; David Conway (Chief Executive Officer), Louth County council
Intent: The toll entering Drogheda at the Donore Road has been present for decades and is proposed to remain in place until 2034. We are putting forward proposals to allow for a fairer deal for local businesses and the local community in respect of the toll system.
Methods: Meeting
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The Donore Road toll bridge
Politician(s) lobbied: Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Alison Comyn (Senator), Seanad; David Conway (Chief Executive Officer), Louth County council
Intent: 1. Completion will lead to development options for Drogheda Port, including a regeneration project at the town port site.2. Enhance options for the new Enterprise Park at Premier Periclase. 3. Open up lands banks for development.4. Take huge volumes of traffic out of Drogheda town centre, heralding a new look at our core town centre district.
Methods: Meeting
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The completion of the PANCR – Northern Cross Route
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M1 to the port
Politician(s) lobbied: Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice
Intent: The blow was huge to the town in relation to business and public affairs. From hosting wedding guests to tourists, staff for the Lourdes Hospital, business people, locals, the place was thriving. Its transformation into an IP centre changed many things.The chamber wrote to the minister urging engagement on the matter, due to the impact its closure created.We received a standard reply, outlining the government stance on the matter. No local engagement took place.
Methods: Letter
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In 2024
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the biggest hotel in Drogheda closed its doors to the public of the region
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having entered into an IPAS agreement for a two year period.
Politician(s) lobbied: Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paula Butterly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joanna Byrne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Our comment, “A number of companies are struggling with space in Drogheda at present and are running out of time. We risk losing them. We are also unable to assist a number of others who have expressed interest to us in moving to Drogheda.”
Methods: Email
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Following a lengthy process
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Louth CC made a decision to approve the application in June 2024 with a number of conditions. However
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the decision was appealed to An Coimisiun Pleanala
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who under the Planning and Development Act 2000
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had 18 weeks to make a decision. A November 18
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2024 deadline and then a subsequent March 21
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2025 deadline passed with the authority apologising for the delay due to case volume.
Politician(s) lobbied: Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Alison Comyn (Senator), Seanad
Intent: Incentives to do business, to increase staff numbers within the SME sector, so allowing greater scope for training and upskilling, are needed and must remain a target of government as we boost our future investment in AI and other related avenues.
Methods: Meeting
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For many businesses
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particularly SMEs
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balancing annual budgets remains a significant challenge. While the €9.4bn support package offers meaningful assistance
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cost pressures persist. A reduction in hospitality VAT from 13.5% to 9% would provide a major boost to the sector. However
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rising costs
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including increases in the minimum wage
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auto-enrolment pensions and other expenses
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mean a careful balance is required to protect this vital industry.
Politician(s) lobbied: Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Alison Comyn (Senator), Seanad
Intent: The message coming from companies seeking Ireland as a location is that the lack of housing stock is a challenge, but that element is very much part of Drogheda’s future. Attracting and retaining talent can be achieved by forward thinking, concentrating resources in key areas that can deliver.Drogheda and District Chamber want to see the investment made to deliver the project and also pave the way for a new Drogheda North train station and transport hub for the North East.
Methods: Meeting
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Business confidence depends on certainty in planning
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electricity
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water and road infrastructure. Where certainty exists
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investment follows
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supporting both major employers and small businesses. Drogheda is well suited as a pilot location to European standards for infrastructure delivery around the Northern Cross Route. Completion of this route will unlock housing beyond the 7
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500 homes envisaged and enable employment growth
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allowing people to live and work locally.
Politician(s) lobbied: Joanna Byrne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paula Butterly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ruairí Ó Murchú (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: A decision by An Coimisiun Pleanala in relation to the new IDA Park on the northside of Drogheda.
Methods: Email
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Drogheda & District Chamber contacted the 5 local TDs seeking support in lobbying An Coimisiún Pleanála on the new IDA Park for Drogheda’s northside. The IDA applied in 2023
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with Louth County Council granting approval in June 2024 subject to conditions. The decision was appealed
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but deadlines of Nov 18
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and Mar 21
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passed without a ruling
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with delays cited due to case volume. The Chamber has urged a swift decision.
Politician(s) lobbied: Paula Butterly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Joanna Byrne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: We hope some solid interaction will now develop between all parties.
Methods: Event / Reception
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Drogheda & District Chamber met with local TDs to discuss key priorities
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including city status
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the PANCR
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SME supports
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tourism
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and town centre revitalisation. The Chamber offered to support lobbying for PANCR and raised concerns over split local authority governance
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rising business costs
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lack of hotels
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and agency engagement. The meeting aimed to advance Drogheda’s growth and national representation.
Politician(s) lobbied: Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Given the proposed development of an Active Travel Plan for central Drogheda, the chamber feels there is a need to explore options when it comes to sustainable travel, vehicle volume and appropriate safety of all road users.
Methods: Email
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Sent Erin McGreehan TD document in relation to the toll at Donore Road
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Drogheda and seeking government cooperation in opening debate on how it can best serve the interests of the growing town of Drogheda
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encouraging greater flexibility with cost to local workers and at the same time
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acknowledging the viability of the operator’s contract that will run to 2034.
Politician(s) lobbied: Simon Harris (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach
Intent: To establish a specified taskforce, a follow on structure from the successful Drogheda Implementation Board.
Methods: Meeting
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Met with Taoiseach Simon Harris while he was on a canvass in Drogheda on 3rd October. We had addressed the ongoing efforts by local stakeholders to get a specific taskforce for the town. He confirmed it was still on his agenda.
