Recently we invited Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Arts, Culture & Heritage, to attend a face to face discussion with a number of businesses at the premises of Abcon Industrial Products Ltd in Cootehill, Co Cavan on 14th May 2015. We also invited business leaders from other sectors to the private meeting and the other companies in attendance were Ballytherm Ltd, Cavan Chamber of Commerce, Cootehill Chamber of Commerce, Liberty Insurance, Obelisk Group, PQE Technology Ltd and Whelan’s Footwear. Tom Hayes, Divisional Manager Regions and Entrepreneurship and Vincent Reynolds, CEO of Cavan Local Enterprise Office and were also in attendance.
The objective for the gathering was to advise Minister Humphreys about the commercial challenges which enterprises in County Cavan are facing at present. We also aimed to promote ideas and recommendations which could be conveyed to Leinster House firsthand from businesses based in rural locations. The meeting was also arranged to give business people in Cavan an opportunity to talk about the €150 million fund planned for the BMW region, which was announced recently. County Cavan has an energetic and dynamic indigenous business community but strategic, up-to-date investment in the region is crucial to facilitate further growth.
L to R – Front Row: Paul Gilsenan, Sean Daly, Heather Humphreys T.D. Barry Smith
L to R – Back Row: Edwin Middleton, Norman Ormiston, Lyn Sharkey, Tom Hayes EI,
Mary Keegan, Nikki McGoohan, Darragh Smith, Raymond Maguire
L to R – Front Row: Paul Gilsenan, Sean Daly, Heather Humphreys T.D. Barry Smith
L to R – Back Row: Tom Hayes EI, Dominic Finlay Liberty, Vincent Reynolds LEO,
Brendan Cosgrove Ballytherm, Connie Whelan Whelan’s Footwear, Ronnie Delaney Obelisk
Minister Humphreys has a strong background in business and as our local representative, has graciously offered to present the final brief to the Government. The meeting was very positive and Minister Humphreys welcomed the information gathered and thanked Abcon for hosting the event. She advised that the Government is seeking active participation from the business sector in planning the future growth of our economy. The Management team from Abcon were delighted to host the meeting and commented that it was also a great networking opportunity for the businesses in attendance. We also presented a comprehensive written brief a week afterwards to Minister Humphreys’ office.
(A version of this article first appeared on Abcon Ireland‘s website.
