CEO Update Insights from Washington DC and Brussels

Dear member,

In context of the changing of the political guard in Ireland, Ibec’s influence remains a constant. The last fortnight has demonstrated to me that our domestic and international reach continues to go from strength to strength. 

Last week I was delighted to join a senior Ibec delegation led by our President Paul Duffy to the United States. In New York, we attended the Ireland Inc event at the New York Stock Exchange before ringing the NYSE opening trading bell. It was a demonstration of the sheer scale of the liquidity advantages the US is experiencing over the EU in the absence of effective capital market union in Europe. Ibec Global also hosted the second edition of our high-level dinner series of international CEOs.  These events connect business leaders on the opportunities and challenges of transatlantic business and investment. 

In Washington D.C. we hosted the annual Ibec St Patricks Day Dinner, an important occasion for reinforcing and developing new connections between the Irish business community and the US. Our delegation also engaged in bi-lateral meetings with the Office of the US Trade Representative, the US Department of Commerce, and the National Association of Manufacturers. Ibec organised a well-attended briefing for D.C. based public affairs professionals where we discussed the implications of EU and Irish elections for Ireland-US trade and investment.

I was struck by a number of themes that emerged from our various engagements. There is undoubtedly increasing level of anxiety caused by the upcoming US elections. Stakeholders have clear concerns about the significant geo-political risk posed by various conflicts and actors. Lastly, I thought it was notable that there is a considerable level of unease regarding the regulatory burden posed by the European Union and its impact on competitiveness.  

We hosted an effective and engaging private networking event for Ibec sectors and members with Irish MEPs and policy advisers at the European Parliament. This was followed by the annual St. Patrick’s reception in the European Parliament hosted in collaboration with Seán Kelly MEP.  Our guest speaker was Ambassador Aingeal O’Donoghue, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU. The event was the largest yet, attended by Ibec members and sectors, MEPs and advisers from the European Parliament as well as officials from the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, the Council of the EU and the European Commission.

We hosted an effective and engaging private networking event for Ibec sectors and members with Irish MEPs and policy advisers at the European Parliament. This was followed by the annual St. Patrick’s reception in the European Parliament hosted in collaboration with Seán Kelly MEP. The event was the largest yet, attended by Ibec members and sectors, MEPs and advisers from the European Parliament as well as officials from the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU, the Council of the EU and the European Commission. 

Closer to home, this week Ibec published a comprehensive economic assessment report emphasising the significance of the Experience Economy to Ireland. It highlighted the scale of employment of the sector and includes key policy recommendations to ensure the sustainable and economic development of this vital business economy across all regions of Ireland. The report received widespread media coverage and has been shared with key political stakeholders as part of Ibec’s ongoing Experience Economy lobbying campaign. It is available to read here. 

As always if you have any feedback or queries, please let me know.

Kind regards,
Danny