Drogheda & District Chamber

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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