Fingal Chamber is the voice of business in Fingal. We represent the interests of our members and the wider business community wherever decisions are made - from Fingal County Council committee rooms to Government departments and European policy forums.
Our approach is straightforward: we hold seats where policy is shaped, we engage directly with decision-makers, and we back every position with evidence from our members. This page sets out where we represent you, how we work and the formal submissions we've made on your behalf.
How We Engage
We are not a government body, but we work closely with those who shape policy and make decisions. Our engagement includes regular dialogue with Government Ministers and TDs, Fingal County Council and local representatives across the political spectrum.
We use member insights, research and consultation to produce 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 our members' 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 us 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. In partnership with Fingal County Council, daa will reserve at least 20% of airbridge advertising revenue - a minimum of €50,000 a year - for promoting Fingal businesses over the next decade, giving SMEs discounted and grant-supported exposure to millions of travellers.
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 secure 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.
Get Involved
Businesses seeking support, or wishing to raise an issue on any of the above matters, can contact Fingal Chamber on 01 890 0977 or info@fingalchamber.ie.
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.
Our submissions are informed by survey data from our Business Sentiment Survey, input from the Chamber's Business Council, stakeholder engagement with relevant experts and focused economic analysis across the Chamber network.