Ballina Chamber launches local and EU election manifestos

BALLINA Chamber has unveiled its local and EU election manifestos, urging candidates to adopt bold visions for Ireland’s long-term growth and prosperity.

With the elections set for June, Ballina Chamber is emphasising the need for ambitious strategies to address key challenges.

Published on the Ballina.ie website, the manifestos highlight the slow pace of infrastructure development in recent years, citing housing shortages, energy costs, skills gaps, and planning system failures as pressing issues. Ballina Chamber has called for proactive and visionary representatives at both local and EU levels to drive accountability and ensure the delivery of essential infrastructure.

Mary Moyles, president of Ballina Chamber, underscores the critical role of ambitious leadership in nurturing vibrant communities and bolstering economic prospects, highlighting the significance of elected representatives in driving transformative action across social, economic, and environmental spheres to fulfill Ireland’s commitments under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

She said: “Through our recent Chamber business survey, ‘Raising the issues that matter to you - Ballina Chamber Members & Business Community,’ our members have raised many issues affecting their business and the long term development of Ballina and north Mayo.

“Many have asked these questions, specifically for local election cadidates, during the survey feedback; What will you do to support business grow and prosper? How do you see out area developing over the next five years? What are the key opportunities and threats for Ballina and the wider municipal district?

“This is a very challenging time for businesses to operate and we must ensure every opportunity is afforded to businesess in Ballina to remain open for business.”

Mags Downey Martin, CEO, Ballina Chamber, said: “At a local authority level, we call on candidates to:

“Foster safe, thriving and inclusive towns and cities that are attractive places for our growing population to live, work, visit and invest.

“Build more homes, and streamline and streamline and support the planning system to ensure essential infrastructure development can progress.

“Take action to maximise the opportunities associated with the green transition in relation to green energy and sustaibale transport.

“Meanwhile, MEP candidates are urged to prioritize a robust EU industrial strategy for renewable energy, global competitiveness, reducing regulatory burdens, and promoting regional development.”

Ballina Chamber has encouraged voter registration and active participation in the elections, urging businesses to support employees in exercising their right to vote.

Both manifestos are available here: https://www.ballina.ie/ballina-chamber-launches-local-and-eu-election-manifestos/.