Conor Healy: 'The ambition for Cork is clear...now the task is to deliver'

The Christmas and New Year period is always a useful moment to pause.

In business, we are rarely afforded the luxury of looking back for long; the next challenge is usually already on the desk. But reflection matters. It allows us to measure progress honestly, to acknowledge what has worked, and to be frank about where we must do better.

For Cork Chamber, the past year has been a busy and purposeful one. We delivered more than 100 events for the business community and each played a role in supporting companies to navigate change, develop purposeful relationships and seize opportunity.

Alongside that, we trained more than 1,300 employees on topics ranging from leadership and compliance to skills that directly support business continuity and professional growth.

None of this happens in isolation. Cork Chamber’s work is grounded in our members, more than 1,200 companies across the city and county, employing approximately 130,000 people.

Their trust, insight and steady engagement shape our agenda, drive our advocacy and give us the mandate to speak on their behalf, locally and nationally, keeping Cork’s priorities visible where decisions are made. We work closely with a wide range of stakeholders across the region, from local authorities and state agencies to education providers and national government, because advancing Cork is a shared endeavour, and progress is strongest when collaboration is genuine and sustained.

Sustainability has been a defining theme for Cork this year, and it is one where collaboration has been particularly evident.

Across the city, we have seen meaningful progress in the transformation of public spaces, green areas and active travel infrastructure. Projects such as the Marina are already changing how people experience the city, with further initiatives underway and due for completion into 2026. These are not cosmetic changes; they are long-term investments in quality of life, climate resilience and economic attractiveness.

Cork’s efforts were recognised earlier this year with the awarding of the EU Mission Cities label. While international recognition is welcome, its real value lies in what it reflects: a city willing to take responsibility for climate action and to bring business and communities together in pursuit of a just and inclusive transition. Initiatives like the Local Green Deals project demonstrate this in practice.

Cork Chamber was proud to have this work recognised at the World Chambers Competition in Australia, though the value of that lies not in the accolade, but in what it represents - effective collaboration around a shared goal, in this case the decarbonisation of our city and the ambition of achieving a net-zero region.

Crucially, sustainability is not just about flagship projects. It must be embedded in everyday decision-making. Cork Chamber’s strategic direction is guided by our formal commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

We are proud to take on the role of government-appointed SDG Ambassador at the end of this year, following the successful conclusion of our term as SDG Champion. That role brings responsibility, and we see it as an opportunity to further embed sustainable thinking across business and policy.

Alongside climate action, inclusive growth remains a priority. This year we continued to progress diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, including WorkAbility, and engaged directly with government, including meeting with Minister Dara Calleary. A resilient economy is one that creates opportunity broadly and ensures that participation in growth is accessible.

Looking ahead, offshore renewable energy represents a major opportunity for Cork and the wider region. The recent auction results for the first South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan site, Tonn Nua, are encouraging. In the year ahead, we need to see tangible progress towards development, alongside a clear route to market and a defined pathway for the remaining South Coast DMAP sites. The potential is significant, but ambition must now be matched by delivery.

Infrastructure delivery more generally remains a pressing issue. There has been welcome progress on suburban rail projects, but the same cannot be said for Cork BusConnects, which has not advanced at a pace that reflects the scale of Cork’s growth.

Against that backdrop, Cabinet approval of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce proposals was a positive and necessary step. Delays to housing, energy and transport infrastructure have real consequences for competitiveness, regional development and community wellbeing. The 30 recommended actions must now be implemented fully and to agreed timelines.

Projects such as Luas Cork and the Cork Northern Distributor Road should become early test cases for these reforms. If we are serious about supporting population growth and economic development in Cork, we must demonstrate that critical infrastructure can be delivered efficiently and with certainty.

Despite ongoing economic uncertainty and cost pressures, Cork has seen strong investment announcements this year, reflecting continued confidence in the region as a place to do business. Our international engagement, through outbound missions and by welcoming international delegations to Cork, plays an important role, alongside other agencies, in supporting existing foreign direct investment, helping Irish companies expand into new markets, and laying the groundwork for future investment.

Cork is open for business and it remains a compelling place to live, work and invest.

As we look towards 2026, one word should define the year ahead: delivery. Cork has ambition, talent and plans in place. What businesses and communities now need to see is plans translated into action. Government must maintain a strong focus on competitiveness, supporting innovation, business growth and inward investment.

Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2026 will offer an opportunity to advance cohesive sustainability policy across Europe, and Cork should be ready to lead by example.

Cork Chamber will continue to work with our members and partners, locally and internationally, to ensure sustainability, competitiveness and delivery remain central to decision-making.

The ambition is clear. The mandate is strong. The task now is to deliver.