Speech by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Cork Chamber Annual Dinner February 6th

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests.

Tá an-áthas orm a bheith libh tráthnóna. Tá ríméad orm go bhfuil mé in ann a bheith páirteach in ócáid atá an-speisialta.

I want to thank President Rob Horgan and Conor Healy, your Chief Executive for the kind invitation to join you tonight.

What makes Cork Chamber so special is that, through over two centuries of being at the centre of Cork life, it has always worked to be much more than a strong voice on business.

It is a vital voice on a full range of economic, social, cultural and environmental issues.

When I talk with your members in every part of the community I am always struck by their deep understanding that there are many different dimensions behind success for their businesses, for Cork and for our country as a whole.

Local, national and international issues matter and there is no doubt that these turbulent times are causing a lot of uncertainty.

Perhaps the single most common question I hear from people is “how can we protect our interests and our successes when things are changing so rapidly, when long-established assumptions are being questioned?”

No one can deny that today there is a crisis in international affairs. We have new and deep challenges to overcome.

But we also we have incredible strengths in our country.

I absolutely believe that we can secure and strengthen our interests now and, in the years, ahead.

We can do it if we focus on our strengths.

If we are true to core values.

If we avoid knee-jerk reactions to every new development.

We have to respond to events which have their origins in other places, but we still have a lot of power to shape our future and promote our interests.

This is what is at the very core of what I and my government are trying to do.

Ireland’s Place in the World

From the earliest days of our struggle for independence, we had the great fortune to be led by people who said that any independent state could only thrive if it worked to cooperate with other countries.

The Proclamation of our republic, and the constitution which followed it two decades later made respect for international law and cooperation as a core value for us.

And while these values are under pressure in many parts of the world, we will not change our position.

In relations with our closest neighbour, with the nations of Europe and the wider global community, I am absolutely clear that Ireland will not shrink from being a voice for mutual respect and shared progress.

It is vital for our interests to build a new era of cooperation with the United Kingdom now that Brexit is a reality and new ways forward are needed.

The agreement to hold full annual summits at the level of Taoiseach and Prime Minister is important, and it will help deepen engagement on a comprehensive range of issues.

I will host this year’s summit next month, here in Cork. As well as involving detailed discussions on important trade and international issues, it will be an opportunity to showcase our economic and cultural dynamism in a range of areas.

We have to push beyond the Brexit years. I am determined that people will look back on this moment as a new beginning in relations to deliver new opportunities which benefit the people of both countries.

We also have to move forward with those who share our belief in a strong and effective European Union. The Union’s many enemies are not taking a rest and we must not.

We have to show people how we can build on the incredible prosperity which the EU has enabled.

A deeper Capital Union which improves the access and affordability of finance to businesses and families is essential.

We have to both protect policies which work, like food security, and expand investment in research and innovation.

During our Presidency of the Council of Ministers later this year we are going to work every day to push forward a practical agenda which shows that Europe is determined to remain a strong and vital force for prosperity and progress.

Ireland has to play its part in helping to protect the values of free democracy. We must not stand on the sidelines as these values are threatened.

We will continue our support for the people of Ukraine and their determination not to succumb to the colonial aggression of Russia.

I will never accept that you can serve the cause of peace by allowing peaceful countries to fall to aggressors.

Equally we will step up reforms here to enhance our ability to protect our skies and seas – and we will ensure that Ireland’s record in peacekeeping can continue by ending the aggressor’s veto which is the reality of how the triple lock has evolved.

While the United Nations is facing a serious crisis, I believe that we must work with others to protect the only organisation which is capable of carrying out vital international functions.

In fundamental areas like public health, maritime safety, famine relief, support for the Palestinian people and child protection, the UN and its agencies are irreplaceable.

Today, I have received a formal invitation from President Donald Trump to visit the White House on St Patrick’s Day.

In his letter he expresses that this visit would be an opportunity to celebrate the warm and historic friendship between the US and Ireland.

The President also pays tribute to the Irish American community, who have made such an enormous contribution to the United States. He believes this is an opportunity to celebrate the special relationship between our two countries.

Ireland’s relationship with the United States is as old as their republic and it was a vital one in the foundation of ours.

It is a relationship which has been strengthened through a shared commitment to engagement and understanding.

Our economic contacts are of enormous value to both of our countries – and this has at its foundation an open dialogue.

Our cultural contacts are also of enormous value to both of our countries – and they have evolved through constant contact.

I am looking forward to my meetings in Washington and to celebrating the 250th anniversary of a democratic ideal which remains an inspiration.

As we negotiate these challenging times, my focus in relations with all countries and especially in our critical relationships, is not on the short-term. It is on the long-term. On finding points of shared interest rather than opportunities for division.

Economic Outlook

I am equally determined that we increase the pace of action at home to address critical challenges.

Today we have near-record numbers of people in work, low unemployment and real wage growth. But the worst thing we could do, would be to take this for granted.

Strong public finances and strong enterprises give us the opportunity to shape our future.

Budget 2026 sets out measures to support businesses and prepare for the challenges ahead - to protect jobs, boost the resilience of our economy, and support regional development.

Our state agencies, Enterprise Ireland, the IDA and others, are stepping up for Irish firms, providing supports, and helping them navigate new realities.

Infrastructure

Faster delivery of infrastructure is essential to our competitiveness.

The National Development Plan provides for unprecedented levels of investment, to secure Ireland's future, unlock housing, upgrade water and energy infrastructure, deliver more roads, and provide better public transport. But securing the funding is only one part of what’s needed.

Our Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan, published in December, is focused on matching our investment in infrastructure with action and delivery to unlock key barriers, streamline development processes and significantly reducing delivery timelines.

An example of the type of project which we are supporting is the €100 million for transforming the Tyndall Institute in UCC.

Tyndall has been the bedrock for developing critical industries over the past 30 years. As the microelectronics industry rapidly evolved into products and areas which few if any had anticipated, so too did Tyndall. With this new investment, we are signalling again that Ireland will stay at the cutting edge of new technologies.

Housing

Housing is a defining challenge which has implications for every part of our society. The latest figures show that an acceleration in building is underway.

Today there are 36,000 more homes built and occupied than a year ago. But we must push forward.

Funding of over €40 billion is in place to provide for housing and critical services like water.

But funding can only have an impact if the system as a whole move with urgency.

In this, Cork is providing an example to the rest of the country.

The delivery pipeline here shows real cooperation between different bodies and a sense of urgency which is often missing in other councils.

We are seeing positive progress with developments advancing across a range of sites including Horgan's Quay, the site of the former HSE Hospital at St. Kevin's, the vacant ESB land at Sarsfield Road in Wilton, the Creamfields development, and Railyard Apartments on Albert Quay.

I want this same level of urgency to be seen elsewhere. If it is, there will be real progress on the supply of the new and affordable housing we so badly need.

Transport

We also have to push forward with urgency the improvement of transport infrastructure.

We need major long-term investments to reduce congestion, improve mobility and support growth.

I’m proud of what Cork has achieved in growing and developing its transport links, and I will continue to support the opportunities for growth and improvement being created through both local and Government programmes.

Closing Remarks

These are challenging times, but the reality of what I see in our communities, our universities, our cultural institutions and our businesses give me a deep belief that we can, and we will protect and build on our strengths.

President, thank you once again for the invitation to speak tonight.

It is an honour to join you in celebrating the work of the Chamber and its members.

Thank you.