LATEST DUBLIN CITY NEWS

• “Proposed changes to retail guidelines will cost jobs, compromise main streets and cause more dereliction - An Taisce”

  03-01-2012

  Jobs will be lost and main streets will suffer if Forfas gets its way on Retail Planning  according to a recent An Taisce  Press Release

• Rejuvenating Dublin's Tourism Product

  23-12-2011

  Dublin City Business Association commissioned Jerome Casey and Felim O’Rourke to undertake a study of tourism in Dublin and to make least-cost recommendations for its rejuvenation. The World Tourism Organisation concluded (in relation to Ireland) that "there appears to be very little correlation between marketing spending by National Tourism Organisations and international arrivals". 
  

  Within Ireland, there is a mismatch between the Irish tourism market and the public resources devoted to it. 

  33 existing tourist attractions in Dublin were reviewed, and low-cost initiatives suggested for their improvement.

  From 2000 – 2010 Ireland’s share of world tourism visitors has fallen sharply. In 2004, Ireland changed from being a destination country for incoming tourists to an origin country for Irish, outgoing tourists.

  Dublin must move from passive approval of tourist activities to an active development of tourism as a priority industry in regenerating the city’s economy. 

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

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Funding the Dublin City Region

Sunday the 2nd of November 2008

Lord Mayor,  Councillor Eibhlin Byrne Speaking at the Launch

Welcome to Distinguished Guests

It may seem that social values and economic development are quite distinct.

Yet each supports the other.  On one hand, it is difficult to achieve the application of social values without reasonable economic development.  While on the other, a society with little social values however well developed its' economy, is not attractive.

I give both of these issues - social values and economic development great importance.

In this report, Dublin City Council states that the vision we hold for Dublin is one of inclusion, with equality of participation and enhanced accessibility to lifestyle choices for all, to be serviced by world class public services, whether that be education, health, transport or local government.  We also state that as part of this vision Dublin will continue to focus on high value added employment and the consequent high income associated with that employment.  Dublin will continue to trade competitively in the global market as an attractive City region.

Economic development and trade drive the process of increased prosperity and an embedded application of social values.

As mentioned previously, competitiveness is crucial for economic survival - that is to be globally competitive.  And to compete effectively on the global stage, we must be of sufficient standing and capacity to truly engage.

Dublin is the Irish player on the world field.  In fact, Dublin is Ireland's only player among dynamic urban regions.  Dublin has a presence.  It has

·        Scale.  Dublin is sufficiently large and yet not so large that there are dis-benefits.

·        Capability.  Dublin's workforce is skilled, with an increasing number of graduates.

·        Clusters of specialisation.  Clusters give market signals prompting further inward investment to other companies in similar or related industries.

·        Diversified market.  Products and services are adaptive and respond to market changes - local and global.  More than one contact or one market point exists.

·        Dublin's infrastructure is developing

·        It has specialised labour markets - employees are secure in knowing that their specialist skills are in demand within the City Region.

·        High quality of life - Cultural, Recreational and Amenity options offer lifestyle choice, all in tandem with applied social values in an equality of opportunity based society.

Focussing on developing and growing Dublin is not about ignoring Ireland.  By developing and maximising the attractiveness of Dublin, all of Ireland benefits from increased inward investment and widened market opportunities.

The spark or drive of great urban regions is based on the extent to which innovation, specialisation and competition are evident.

In these more challenging economic times that we face, it is proper and right to consider how we can best place Ireland Inc to work our way to economic prosperity.

I believe that Dublin's economic performance will lead that drive to economic prosperity.  That's not only my opinion, but also that of Business (Dublin Chamber of Commerce, IBEC, Dublin City Business Association) and others who contributed to this report.  In the months ahead every Euro invested by the state has to give the best return possible.  I believe that the best return will come from investment in Dublin.

 
Councillor Michael Donnelly Speaking at the Launch

Today as we gather, the Irish economy, indeed the world economies are re-shaping.  Markets are adapting to changed circumstances.  It is clear that the financial and investment framework from here on in will not be that of the past.  The scale and depth of credit availability will change.  We must exercise a greater sense of prudence and diligence in making investment decisions and so while we are at a point of change for world markets, it is right and indeed incumbent on us to consider how we get the best return for Ireland Inc to lead us onward from this point.  In saying that I would like to draw your attention to today's publication and Dublin's role in this dramatically changing world.

Dublin is dynamic.  Just being in Dublin for a short time gives a dynamic experience.  The variety, depth and quality of what Dublin has is exciting and greatly attractive to visitors and investors.

Dublin is dynamic at work.  Labour productivity for Dublin is 26% above the national average.  And that dynamic productivity is magnified through the quantum of employment carried out in Dublin.  In 2006, there were over 843,000 persons employed in the Dublin region.  This level was an increase of 219,000 jobs over the previous 10 years.  Dublin accounts for 40% of all employment.

The increase of jobs in Dublin from 1997 to 2006 is greater than the total stock of jobs in any other region with the exception of the south west.  Dublin is the economic engine of Ireland.

Dublin is dynamic in high value added activity.  In 2006, 56% of knowledge intensive workers and managers and executives lived in the Dublin region.

Dublin is dynamic in its' development and has been categorised as a metro region in a recent OECD report i.e. having a large concentration of population and economic activity that constitutes functional economic areas.  Typically the economic performance of metro regions outperform their national economies.  This holds for Dublin.

It is not unusual for the Capital City to be the sole metro region and economic driver.  This situation also exists in Norway, Finland, Austria and others.

The European Regional Economic Growth index identifies Cities and Regions in Europe with the greatest economic growth potential over the short to medium term.

    * In 2000, Dublin was ranked first
    * In 2005, Dublin was ranked third
    * In 2006, Dublin was ranked third
    * In 2007, Dublin was ranked fourth

Of the 50 Cities worldwide that attract the greatest level of inward investment, Dublin was placed 18th, with just 4 other European cities ahead.

Indeed, the OECD has stated that "it would be hard to imagine a strong national economy for Ireland without a thriving innovative Dublin".

To truly maximise, Dublin and therefore Irelands competitive advantage, we must move away from previous thoughts of Dublin versus the rest of Ireland.  Every region in Ireland has its own assets.  Dublin's assets are it's a dynamic urban centre with an international presence.  There is more gain to Ireland when Dublin's assets are fully exploited.

A danger exists that if Dublin is not developed sufficiently to lead the drive to economic prosperity, that Ireland will over time, cease to have an effective global presence.

There is consensus among many groups in this report.  Groups representing business, workers, political parties and others have reached agreement that the Dublin City Region is fundamental to economic growth and prosperity, and we must now take steps to ensure that economic development continues.

The challenge of these unique circumstances in world economies also presents an opportunity.  An opportunity to value what we have individually and collectively - a job, a business small or large, and in our case in Dublin City Council the efficient provision of services to Dublin.  We are all involved and the power of one is the greatest single driver of progress.
Tom Coffey - DCBA Speaking at the Launch

This is an important report, not just because of its contents but because of the timing of its publication. We are in a period of great and ever-accelerating change.

Diversity is transforming society. The population of the industrial world (including Ireland) is getting older. Immigration will become a crucial issue over the next 20 years. Products can be made anywhere and sold anywhere.

We are now in an era of the knowledge economy and the post mechanical economy. More people will live in urban areas.

Companies will have to compete for educated staff who will prefer the knowledge economy and cities with good quality of life.

Power will migrate up to supra national bodies eg the EU and down to city level eg Dubliners.  This is being facilitated by the internet and teenagers who have become globalised citizens in a free market.

Organisations, retailers, Dublin City Council, government, elected representatives will need to become virtual organisations creating flexible structures and be connected to their customers. It is also important to appreciate that there is a fundamental real value economy at work in the city and in our country and not be distracted by the media frenzy  on the recent mis-management of the construction and financial sectors.

Yes footfall in city centre is down about 2% on the last three years which were the highest in history.

But double the number of people are now at work in jobs compared to 10 years ago. Some have no mortgages. Some have low mortgages. Some have negative equity.  Many have lower disposable spend due to high oil and excessive mortgages on excessive house prices.  Businesses who continue to give good value, products that people want and prices that customers can afford will make the transition to the next upturn in the economy. Today's competitive challenges demand leadership.

Leaders believe in continuous change even when painful.

Professor Michael porter from Harvard in his work on competition and competitive advantage for nations and regions has defined the fundamental understanding we have of competition and competitive strategy and the need for clusters.

The Dublin region is Ireland's largest cluster and is the driver of the Irish economy.  The economy of Dublin city centre is equivalent to around 8% of GDP.

Clusters are normally most pronounced in advanced economies. There are very well known clusters in Portugal, Italy, Germany, France and of course the USA. All are successful regions which are enduring competitive advantage regions in a global economy and are local. Dublin is no different.

Dublin must achieve international competitiveness and must change to do so.  However this requires a change of attitude by government and all elected representatives towards Dublin and how it is cared for and nurtured in the interests of the Irish economy.  And indeed how it is funded and governed

This report  "Funding the Dublin city region' is a welcome contribution to the debate and it is important that decisions are made as a result. The future prosperity of a multi-ethnic, diverse Dublin will be based on technology, tolerance, talent, but above all on leadership.