Galway will not be able to maintain its position as the third largest city in the State and “will fall behind” in terms of development unless vital infrastructure and investment projects are supported by Government.
This is the view of the Galway Chamber of Commerce, which is calling for development, investment, and support for the Atlantic Enterprise Corridor, Galway Port, marine energy resources, and road infrastructure, in its pre-Budget submission.
It also feels that support for such initiatives will help maintain Galway’s attractiveness as a location to live, work, and do business in the longer term.
The Galway Chamber Pre-Budget Submission was sent to Finance Minister Michael Noonan as part of the Chambers Ireland Pre-Budget Submission.
The chamber feels the creation of an Atlantic enterprise corridor linking Galway, Shannon, and Limerick is important, and a regional strategy must be developed to promote more “knowledge driven indigenous industries” such as medical tech sector, renewable energy, and marine resources.
The chamber has established a sub-committee with the specific remit of exploring the potential benefits to be gained from the creation of an Atlantic enterprise corridor
The chamber also feels the development of Galway Port is “key to Galway’s future” and to “driving Galway’s future development” by maximising the potential for the tourism and marine sciences, exploration/energy, and marine leisure.
Regarding marine energy resources, the chamber point’s out that the majority of the State’s potential ocean energy resource lies off the west coast.
It is calling for policy regarding all aspects of ocean energy including offshore wind, wave, and tidal to be promoted, developed, and implemented.
Such policies will include issues regarding planning, foreshore leasing and licensing; grid connection; stakeholder alliances; support for research and promotion of investment with the ultimate aim of realising the jobs and income potential of the sector.
The chamber is also calling for the Galway City Outer Bypass N6, including a fifth bridge across the Corrib, and the Gort to Tuam N17/N18 to go ahead.
