Return of Cork-Belfast flights among priorities Chambers network seeks to progress 

A higher-speed Cork to Belfast rail link and the restoration of flights between the Northern Irish city and Cork Airport are among the priorities Ireland’s Chambers network said they wish to progress at a meeting of business leaders from across the island in Dublin this week.

The aim of progressing the higher-speed rail link, the restoration of the flights between Cork and Belfast, as well as funding allocations for ports, all-island innovation clusters, and enhancing tourism links is to advance key priorities to shape the future of the all-island economy, Cork Chamber chief executive Conor Healy said following the meeting.

“We see significant potential to advance a more integrated approach to economic development, one that harnesses the strengths of each region and creates shared prosperity,” said Mr Healy.

“We are focused on strengthening the connectivity that underpins business growth and regional development.

“By advancing discussion on the opportunities for our ports, fostering all-island innovation clusters, and enhancing tourism links, we are creating the foundations for a modern, competitive and sustainable island economy.”

Cork Chamber was just one of the organisations from the city and county represented at the meeting.

Board members from the organisation attended alongside representatives of Port of Cork, Cork Airport, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Visit Cork, and others. The grouping met with peers and counterparts from Dublin and Belfast.

Cork Chamber president Rob Horgan said the network of Chambers of Commerce had “a critical role in leading collaboration and driving forward an all-island approach to economic development”.

“This ‘Tri-Region Partnership’ is a powerful example of how the chamber network can bring together business leaders, policymakers, and key stakeholders to deliver tangible benefits for communities across the island of Ireland.”

The event was hosted by the capital’s Chamber of Commerce and CEO, Mary Rose Burke, who said the meeting was “an example of how the business community and the chamber network across the island is leading on fostering connectivity, economic growth”.

“We have a great ambition to strengthen ties across the regions,” she said. “We are united in our goal to advance our common interests and adopt an all-island approach to economic growth.”