Public Meeting

1st December 2008

Brandon Hotel

AGENDA

1. Welcome and introductions

2. Mr Brian O'Connell Chairman Atlantic Way

3. Mr. Paul O'Brien CEO Atlantic Way

4. Mr. Michael Breen Jacksonville

5. Questions and Answers

Priorities for Tralee ChamberPriorities for Tralee Chamber

1 Membership of the Chamber

2 Development of Tralee

3 Tourism development

4 Tralee – Killarney Hub

5 Infrastructure

6 Relationship with Local Authority

7 Elections 2009

Tralee Chamber response

Create links with Kerry Technology Park

Promote job creation - by developing links with Silicon Valley 2008

Working with Local Authorities – Hub Strategy working Group

Actively support development with existing businesses in Tralee

Work with Chambers Ireland to lobby for Tralee

DevelopmentDevelopment

TourismTourism

• Promote Tourism – Kerry Convention Bureau

• Closer working links with Holiday Tralee

• Work with Tralee Town Council on initiatives such as the Lee Valley Amenity Area

• Create links with Failte Ireland

Tralee – Killarney HubTralee – Killarney Hub

Kerry is one of two counties with disposable income below 87.5% of state average

In 2002 State rate of unemployment was 8.8%

Tralee is 18.5% over 3,500 people

Nationally, almost 70% of the Irish workforce is employed in services activities and almost 40% of our exports are service based.

No new FDI company in Tralee in 9 years

80% of new IDA jobs gone to Cork

Tralee – Killarney HubTralee – Killarney Hub

2006 – 139,835 up by (7,308 2002)

Tralee 22,836 up by (2,221 2002)

Killarney 14,448 up by (1,311 2002)

Hub Town 37,384

Hub Target for 2020 is 40,000

At 02/06 rate of growth is 46,287

Kerry’s increase 4th lowest after Sligo (4.6%),

Based on growth rates in the recent past (2002 – 2006)

only one Hub is likely to reach or exceed its indicative target population by 2020.

Tralee/Killarney

Page 17 National Spatial Strategy Hubs

Development Issues and Challenges

June 2007

Tralee – Killarney HubTralee – Killarney Hub

Roads• Castleisland By-Pass 5.4

km

- hopeful to commence late 2008• Tralee/Ballycarthy & Tralee Ring Road 13.5

kmCPO/EIS to be published by March, 08

No construction before 2010 – 2011.Issue: access points off road• Farranfore/Killarney 26 km

hoping to deliver on phased basis

InfrastructureInfrastructure

URGENT ROAD IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED

Urgent Improvements around Tralee:Urgent Improvements around Tralee:

• Tralee Eastern Ring Road

• Tralee Western Ring Road – Phase III

• Tralee Western Ring Road – Phase II

• Tralee Western Ring Road – Phase

IV

• Tralee Western Ring Road – Phase I

(Bracker O’Regan Road – Complete 2007)

12 Jun 08 – Page 15© Ulster Bank

Group Economics

Issues discussed in June 2008

• Sub Prime legacy• Record oil prices• Sharp currency movements• Vulnerable housing markets abroad• Slower global growth likely in 2008• Domestic housing market slowdown• Lower growth in Ireland in 2008• Rebound in 2009• Things should improve in 2009 once the housing

adjustment is out of the way

Chamber Challenges with Chamber Challenges with Local AuthoritiesLocal Authorities

– Only local tax– Approx. 34% in case of Town Councils

– Limited local discretion due to central controls– No local taxation on individuals or households– What about water charges into the future?– Next local elections

Commercial RatesCommercial Rates