‘Good time to do business’ in the county
By Maurice Garvey
THE annual South Dublin Chamber Christmas lunch featured mulled wine and had the air of seasonal ambience, but the local business community is already planning ahead to next year.
Speaking to the large crowd gathered for the event at the Clayton Hotel in Liffey Valley on Friday, outgoing Chamber President Margaret Considine said it was a “good time to do business” in the county.
Peter Byrne (Chamber CEO), Alan Sullivan (Meditech), Dublin footballers Siobhan McGrath and Lauren Magee, Siobhan Kinsella, Michael Sullivan (Meditech) and Margaret Considine (Chamber President)
She noted the “highlight” of the recent successful Chamber Business Awards, which is “getting better and better” every year.
Ms Considine thanked South Dublin County Council and South Dublin LEO for their “interest and support” and said they were “looking forward to working with America Chamber of Commerce” in 2020.
Special guest speakers at the event were Dublin Ladies GAA stars Siobhan McGrath of Thomas Davis and Lauren Magee from Kilmacud Crokes, who recently helped the team win three All-Irelands in a row.
During a Q&A on stage, McGrath (32) stated they “don’t want to be called lady footballers.”
“Growing up, my role models were men, but now we are role models for young girls,” she said.
Two special awards were presented at the event. The first one to Denis O’Connell, Centre Director at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre.
Mr O’Connell noted the development of the centre over the last 20 years, and an increase of retail space “from 47 sq m to 72 sq m”.
He said there are more plans in the pipeline for the centre with the likes of TJ Max moving in next year.
Charity Trustus also received an award for 50 years of “exceptional service” to vulnerable people in the community, according to Ms Considine.
Tallaght multinational firm Meditec Medical were sponsors of the lunch, and their Managing Director Michael Sullivan spoke at the event.
Meditec are the designers and manufacturers of technology in pressure-relief mattresses.
Mr Sullivan said the company were proud to be supplying hospitals with their equipment, and of a “prestigious contract” with Boston Hospital to fit out all their beds.
“We are the only manufacturer who can monitor the patient in bed, ensure they are moved and document all that,” he said.
Referencing the threat of superbug CPE and HSE costs of €2.4 million to combat an outbreak of an antimicrobial-resistant bug in one hospital, Mr Sullivan spoke of a new product Meditec are working on.
He said the polystyrene plastic material “inhibits bacteria” and it can be washed and is recyclable.
“I have never been so excited in 20 years. Like everything at Meditec, it is exciting and cutting edge.”
