‘Collaboration key to Ireland’s growth,' Cork Chamber President urges leaders

The president of Cork Chamber has called on political and business leaders to strengthen joined-up decision-making across government to unlock Ireland’s full potential.

Rob Horgan’s comments were made at this year’s Cork Chamber Dublin Dinner 2025, which was hosted at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Rd, in Dublin, and sponsored by Ernst and Young.

More than 650 business leaders, policymakers, and dignitaries attended, including keynote speaker Tánaiste Simon Harris, who addressed Ireland’s economic outlook and priorities for sustainable growth.

At the event, the late John Mullins was posthumous recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Business Award 2025.

Mr Mullins served as president of Cork Chamber from 2011 to 2013, and was a former chief executive of Bord Gáis, and co-founder and group chairman of clean energy firm Amarenco Solar.

Mr Horgan said that the dinner “has long been a symbol of collaboration between Ireland’s two largest city regions”.

Housing delivery in Cork under public schemes was highlighted by Mr Horgan, while he called for greater action to unlock private development.

The work of the accelerating infrastructure taskforce was welcomed by Mr Horgan, who stressed the importance of visible progress on major projects, such as BusConnects, the Cork Luas, and the Northern Distributor Road, describing them as critical to the region’s competitiveness and to the national reputation.

Mr Horgan also drew attention to Cork’s growing international outlook and inclusive workforce.

He said: “Cork, today, is home to people from over 100 nationalities across our many employers — a truly international city built on diversity, talent, and inclusion.

“This diversity strengthens our workplaces, enriches our communities, and reflects the Ireland we continue to build together,” Mr Horgan said.

“It’s up to all of us to keep building on that strength, to make inclusion a shared priority in how we shape Cork’s future.”

Mr Horgan acknowledged Cork Chamber’s recent achievements, following its recognition as Chamber of the Year at the Chambers Ireland Awards, and as the first Irish, and only European, chamber to receive a global award at this year’s World Chambers Congress in Melbourne.

Mr Horgan said that, “progress isn’t only about projects or plans, deadlines or targets. It’s about people, and the legacy we leave behind. Our legacy will be measured not only in what we build, but in how we build it: Sustainably, with courage, compassion, and commitment to one another.”