AT THE recent Dublin Chamber of Commerce annual dinner, discussion centred on breakthroughs in the Irish education system and the State’s need for investment in regional infrastructure to ensure it is globally competitive over the next decade.
Martin Murphy, president of Dublin Chamber of Commerce, and managing director of HP Ireland, addressed more than 1,700 business people at the annual event held in Dublin’s Convention Centre this week.
He said: “Ireland has gone through a number of tough years and the signs of recovery are very encouraging, but we must not be complacent.
“Across the world, human capital is becoming the most valuable asset any country can have. Talent is the new international battleground.
“From teaching a foreign language at primary level to developing our universities, we need to regenerate our education system if Ireland is to compete and win globally.
“While we’ve been defending our tax regime, our competitors are courting talent, including our own. We need to innovate, or we risk losing the battle for talent,” he said.
“When it comes to international investment, increasingly competition is not between cities but between regions. Our national strategy must ensure that Dublin and other regions have the infrastructure necessary to compete for mobile international investment.
“That means a modern and cost-effective electric grid, high speed wireless network and interconnected transport network. In other words, a framework that stacks up against our ambition to compete with other global regions in term of infrastructure, scale and supports,” said Murphy.
The Dublin Chamber dinner was also addressed by Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson and An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny.
Dublin Chamber is the largest in Ireland with more than 1,300 member companies.
It is the most representative and broadly-based business group in the greater Dublin area, providing representation and networking services.
Founded in 1873, it is a key contributor to the development of enterprise and economic policy throughout Ireland, and provides a range of business services, including international business assistance, export services and business promotion opportunities.
