Fingal Chamber is the voice of business in Fingal. We represent your interests wherever decisions are made - from Fingal County Council committee rooms to Government departments and European policy forums.
The approach is straightforward. We hold seats where policy is shaped, we engage directly with decision-makers, and we back every position with evidence from members like you. This page sets out where we represent you, how the work gets done and the formal submissions made on your behalf.
What representation gives you
- Early sight of policy that affects you. Committee papers and consultations reach the Chamber before positions harden, so you hear what is coming while there is still time to respond.
- A say in the positions we take. Submissions are shaped by the Business Environment and Economic Outlook Survey and tested by the Business Council, so the evidence starts with members.
- A route from Fingal to Brussels. Through Chambers Ireland, your issue can travel from a county committee room to Government and on to EU level.
- Engagement you can verify. Our lobbying activity is published on a public register, so the access we describe is a matter of record, not assertion.
How we engage
We are not a government body, but we work closely with those who shape policy and make decisions. That means regular dialogue with Government Ministers and TDs, Fingal County Council and local representatives across the political spectrum.
Your insights, gathered through research and consultation, become clear, evidence-based policy recommendations. By pairing data with real business stories, we give Government practical solutions it can act on. Submissions are typically supported by a strategic advocacy campaign, including meetings with senior civil servants, TDs, Senators and Ministers, events and receptions, and focused media activity.
Where a national voice carries more weight than a regional one, we present your views through Chambers Ireland for inclusion in their submissions to Government. View the Chambers Ireland Policy Submissions.
Where we represent you
Fingal Chamber is the only business representative body with membership on Fingal County Council's Strategic Policy Committees (SPCs). SPCs have a statutory basis in law and play a crucial role in shaping council policy, giving your interests direct input on issues that affect the local economy, competitiveness and quality of life.
Strategic Policy Committees
Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development SPC Representative: Anthony Cooney
Covers economic development and enterprise strategy, tourism, skills and food strategies, Local Enterprise Office supports, the economic elements of the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP), and urban, rural, town and village regeneration.
Planning, Strategic Transport and Infrastructure Development SPC Representative: Anthony Cooney
Covers the Fingal Development Plan 2023–2029, strategic infrastructure including greenways and transport routes, recreational open space and heritage, urban design and planning, building control and the development contribution scheme.
Housing SPC Representative: David Branagan
Covers delivery of social and affordable housing, homeless strategy and housing allocations, estate management and refurbishment, Traveller accommodation, housing design, and retrofit and sustainability initiatives.
Public Realm, Transportation & Mobility Management SPC Representative: Sineád Kavanagh
Covers road maintenance and safety, the active travel programme, traffic management, fleet management and EV adoption, public lighting and parking, parks and open spaces, and bike share and e-scooter bye-laws.
Fingal Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)
Representative: Anthony Cooney
The LCDC coordinates, plans and oversees local development initiatives, including the Fingal Local Economic & Community Plan. Its statutory functions include managing national programmes such as SICAP (tackling poverty and social exclusion), delivering the LEADER programme for rural enterprise, coordinating publicly funded development initiatives, and preparing the community and economic elements of the LECP.
Advisory and Development Groups
We also represent business on a range of non-statutory bodies, ensuring the business voice is included in broader planning and policy discussions:
- Fingal Leader Programme Local Action Group – Dr. Pat O'Connor
- Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) – Alan Spain, Maura Cassidy
- Fingal Skills Strategy Group – Feargal Malone
- Fingal Tourism Advisory Group – Anthony Cooney
- Fingal Tourism, Food and Drink Marketing and Sales Strategic Group – David Branagan
- Eirgrid Community Forum – David Branagan
- Swords Community Forum – David Branagan
- Greater Dublin Chamber Alliance – Anthony Cooney
- Chambers Ireland Chief Executives Forum – Anthony Cooney
- Chambers Ireland Board – Kevin Smith
Advocacy in action
Strategic, collaborative engagement delivers results. Recent examples of Chamber advocacy translating into real-world impact for Fingal businesses:
Our long-term advocacy for strategic infrastructure has been central to progressing MetroLink. Working with members, government representatives and transport authorities, we presented evidence-based research highlighting the project's long-term economic value - demonstrating how reliable, high-capacity public transport strengthens access to jobs, education and investment across North Dublin.
daa Advertising Platform for Fingal Businesses
Our advocacy for greater business visibility helped secure a major opportunity for local SMEs. daa has committed to supporting local SME development to the value of 20% of the revenue from the permitted airbridge advertising — a minimum of €50,000 a year for ten years — through discounted rates, advertising grants, joint campaigns, digital bursaries and training. The commitment forms part of a planning application currently before Fingal County Council.
In partnership with Fingal County Council and Magnet Networks under the WiFi4EU scheme, we helped plan a network of 48 hotspots across 13 locations, coordinating outreach and site visits with local businesses. The result is stronger digital access in key commercial areas, helping businesses attract passing trade and compete more effectively.
We brought together local government, tourism boards and private operators to form a structured forum for collaboration - a unified voice shaping tourism development strategy and strengthening Fingal's position as a destination.
Shop Local & Fingal In It Together
We worked with government representatives and Fingal County Council to support funding for the Shop Local initiative, driving footfall across Fingal towns during a challenging economic period. The Fingal In It Together Charter built on this, uniting businesses under shared pledges for safe access, collaboration and local support.
During the pandemic we partnered with government and local authorities to deliver rapid-response support, ensuring member concerns shaped interventions from grants to reopening guidelines.
Transparency and impact
Our advocacy is open and responsible. In line with the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, Fingal Chamber and Chambers Ireland publish lobbying activity three times a year. View our lobbying returns here.
How you can shape our positions
Representation works best when the evidence starts with you. There are four ways to feed in:
- Respond to the Business Environment and Economic Outlook Survey. It is the evidence base behind every submission we make, so your answers set the agenda.
- Raise an issue directly. If a policy, planning or infrastructure matter is affecting your business, tell the team on 01 890 0977 or info@fingalchamber.ie and we will pursue it through the right channel.
- Get involved with the Business Council. Senior representatives from across the membership serve on the Business Council - let us know if you would like to be considered.
- Attend policy-focused events. Briefings and receptions with decision-makers give you direct access to the people shaping the issues above.
By joining Fingal Chamber, your business strengthens the collective voice shaping policy at county, national and European level - the same voice behind every submission listed below.
Policy submissions
Our mission is to ensure that Fingal is a great place to live, work and do business. In pursuit of this, the Chamber regularly responds to consultations organised by Government departments, local Government and state agencies.
Submissions are informed by survey data from our Business Surveys, input from the Chamber's Business Council, stakeholder engagement with relevant experts and focused economic analysis across the Chamber network.