Drogheda and District Chamber presented its Budget 2026 asks to local political representatives at an event in Kildare Street, hosted by Chambers Ireland.
Billed as ‘Drogheda Chamber Working Smarter’, it highlighted key issues in the area, including funding to complete the Northern Cross Route and a new train station for the area.
It also appealed for more detailed discussion about the auto enrolment pension scheme being introduced next January, the reduction in VAT within the hospitality sector, the cost of doing business for SMEs and how more investment is needed within the M1 Corridor and the Drogheda area.
“The key driver of confidence within the business sector is certainty – with regard to planning, electricity, water and roads. With certainty will come investment and targets will be delivered. That’s the case from attracting the biggest industries in the world to creating the playbook for small businesses to survive.
“Drogheda is a perfect location for a pilot project – to a European standard – to deliver on key infrastructure projects surrounding the Northern Cross Route.
“Long term, its completion will deliver well in excess of the 7,500 homes envisaged, and importantly, will open the way for significant investment in industry and employment, allowing those living locally to work locally.
“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,” CEO, Hubert Murphy, stated.
Chamber member, Protection and Prosperity Financial Services, hosted a very informative breakfast event last week on auto enrolment, sparking renewed interest in how much it will impact on small businesses and those in the not for profit sector. “We felt it was timely to raise the issue as people are still unprepared in many ways for it.”