Chamber of Commerce disappointment at lack of regional capital designation
Drogheda Chamber of Commerce has expressed frustration and disappointment at the failure to designate Drogheda as Ireland’s next city and the Regional Capital of the North East in the Project Ireland Plan 2040.
Paddy Callaghan, President of Drogheda Chamber said the Plan ‘missed opportunities for Drogheda and the North East’.
‘With 83,000 people now in the Greater Drogheda area that straddles parts of South Louth and East Meath, it is now the largest town and fifth largest urban centre in Ireland, yet was neither designated as Regional Capital for the North East – or Ireland’s next city – in the Plan,’ he said.
‘Submissions from the Greater Drogheda area were evidence based as Tanaiste Simon Coveney sought. We are on the way to becoming Ireland’s next city, based on the qualifying criteria laid down by the EU. Right now, not only is Drogheda the largest town in County Louth and the North East, it is also Ireland’s largest town.’
Whilst Sligo and Athlone secured Regional Capital designation for the North West and Midlands respectively, there is anger and disappointment along the Boyneside that Drogheda did not secure similar designation.
‘Now, when this Plan is implemented, every region will have either a city or Regional Capital – except the North East,’ said Mr Callaghan.
The Chamber boss also considers Drogheda as the key centre along the Dublin-Belfast axis. ‘It is the largest urban centre between the southern and northern capitals, linked to them by the M1 motorway and the Enterprise Rail Link, making it the ideal location for business or State agencies involved in cross-border or Brexit activity.
‘Whilst Drogheda welcomes the fact it has been mentioned in the context of the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor, we have a bigger role to play in national economic growth, and at the moment far too many local people are condemned to long commutes to work or study in the Dublin area that represent a heavy financial, social and environmental cost.’