Politician(s) lobbied: Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Moira Murrell (Chief Executive Officer), Cork County Council; Anthony Barry (Councillor), Cork County Council; Sinéad Sheppard (Councillor), Cork County Council
Intent: Funding allocated to activate key projects within the strategy.Increased year-round tourism and reduced seasonality.Stronger harbour-wide destination branding.Growth in visitor numbers, length of stay and local spend.New and sustainable tourism and hospitality employment.Improved connectivity for visitors and commuters.
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
Engagement with Government and national agencies to support activation and implementation of the Cork Harbour Tourism Strategy
Method not specified
a partnership between Fáilte Ireland
Method not specified
the Port of Cork
Method not specified
Cork City Council and Cork County Council. Advocacy focuses on funding
Method not specified
integration into national tourism marketing
Method not specified
and alignment with transport improvements such as the Cork–Cobh rail line under the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme.
Politician(s) lobbied: Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Moira Murrell (Chief Executive Officer), Cork County Council; Anthony Barry (Councillor), Cork County Council; Sinéad Sheppard (Councillor), Cork County Council
Intent: Provision of public access to Cork Harbour for residents and visitorsCompletion of a feasibility study and site selectionDevelopment of marine leisure and maritime tourism enterprisesIncreased visitor numbers and local spendingImproved quality of life and community engagement with the harbourCreation of a foundation for a future public marina
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
Advocacy for the development of public water access in Cobh and the establishment of a phased pathway towards a public marina. This includes seeking agreement on site identification
Method not specified
funding for feasibility studies
Method not specified
and the creation of a multi-agency approach involving Cork County Council
Method not specified
the Port of Cork and relevant marine authorities.
Politician(s) lobbied: Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Moira Murrell (Chief Executive Officer), Cork County Council; Anthony Barry (Councillor), Cork County Council; Sinéad Sheppard (Councillor), Cork County Council
Intent: Secured national funding for Phase 1 of the projectCommencement of construction worksIncreased footfall and dwell time in CobhAttraction of private investment in retail and hospitalityJob creation and enhanced business confidenceImproved visitor experience for cruise and rail arrivals
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
Advocacy for national capital funding and a confirmed delivery timeline for Phase 1 of the approved and shovel-ready Cobh Public Realm Enhancement Plan. The project focuses on transforming the arrival experience from the Port of Cork cruise berth and Cobh rail terminal into the town centre
Method not specified
improving streetscape
Method not specified
accessibility and visitor infrastructure to support business growth and tourism.
Politician(s) lobbied: Noel McCarthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Advocating for increased or guaranteed funding for Cobh Hospital to strengthen local healthcare capacity and services.
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
The Chamber highlighted the urgent need for increased funding for Cobh Hospital. Investment is essential to relieve service pressures
Method not specified
improve patient care
Method not specified
and secure the long-term sustainability of this vital healthcare facility.
Politician(s) lobbied: Patrick O'Donovan (Minister of State), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Intent: Seeking improved broadband communication and delivery for Cobh, including clear updates on rollout timelines and service improvements
Methods: LetterMeeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Discussed some fibre broadband issues Cobh businesses are facing. There are a number of situations impeding many businesses in the town centre availing of full fibre broadband
Method not specified
and OpenEir seem unwilling to engage or even respond to queries.
Politician(s) lobbied: Patrick O’Donovan (Minister), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Noel McCarthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sinéad Sheppard (Councillor), Cork County Council; Dominic Finn (Councillor), Cork County Council; Anthony Barry (Councillor), Cork County Council
Intent: Securing improved or committed funding for Cobh Hospital to support local healthcare capacity and services.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
The Chamber raised concerns about funding levels for Cobh Hospital. Discussion focused on the need for investment to address service pressures
Method not specified
enhance patient care
Method not specified
and ensure long-term sustainability of the facility.
Politician(s) lobbied: Patrick O'Donovan (Minister of State), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Noel McCarthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sinéad Sheppard (Councillor), Cork County Council; Dominic Finn (Councillor), Cork County Council; Anthony Barry (Councillor), Cork County Council
Intent: Advocating for progress and funding for improvements to the R624 road, including safety upgrades and infrastructure to accommodate current and projected traffic volumes.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
The Chamber outlined concerns relating to the condition and strategic importance of the R624 road. Discussions included funding requirements
Method not specified
safety issues
Method not specified
and the economic importance of the route for local residents
Method not specified
tourism
Method not specified
and business operations.
Politician(s) lobbied: Patrick O'Donovan (Minister of State), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Noel McCarthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sinéad Sheppard (Councillor), Cork County Council; Dominic Finn (Councillor), Cork County Council
Intent: Seeking improved funding structures or supports for Chambers of Commerce to enable the delivery of business-support services and local economic development initiatives.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
The Chamber discussed the pressures facing voluntary and membership-based chambers
Method not specified
including administrative burdens and resource limitations. The Chamber requested consideration of sustainable funding mechanisms or supports to ensure chambers can continue to fulfil important economic-development functions.
Politician(s) lobbied: Noel McCarthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To seek political support and Government funding commitment for the upgrade of the R624 road, ensuring it is prioritised in the National Development Plan / capital investment programme.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Method not specified
Upgrading of the R624 road linking Cobh to N25
Method not specified
including road safety
Method not specified
accessibility
Method not specified
and economic impact on Cobh and Great Island
Politician(s) lobbied: Noel McCarthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To secure a visit from the Minister for Health to visit Cobh in the near term, providing an opportunity to directly observe local healthcare and infrastructure needs. To advocate for improved healthcare facilities and services in Cobh, aligned with population growth and accessibility concerns. ::To increase awareness within government of Cobh’s strategic role in regional development, tourism, and public health planning. To prompt the allocation of funding and a timeline for the essential upgrade of the R624, ensuring safer, more reliable access to Cobh for residents, emergency services, and visitors.
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Method not specified
Support for Cobh town and upgrading of the R624 Road
