Tri-Region Partnership

Restoration of Cork-Belfast flights and enhanced rail connections between Cork, Dublin and Belfast, have the potential to yield major economic and social developments.

The restoration of domestic flights between Cork and Belfast is one of the key priorities for the Tri-Region Partnership between Cork Chamber, Dublin Chamber and Northern Ireland Chamber, which recently convened for its second gathering of key delegates and stakeholders.

The development of a higher-speed rail link between Cork, Dublin, Belfast and beyond is also key to enhancing business and tourism links, making the island of Ireland a more attractive destination for visitors and investors.

Newly-published rail data shows the benefit of recent changes to the Dublin-Belfast rail line, which has seen a 50% increase in passenger numbers since an increase in frequency on the route; proof that demand is there for enhanced services.

The economic and environmental benefits of transferring long journeys from private cars to a reliable rail service will be significant and the tri-region partnership will continue to campaign for improvements on this existing route, while also championing further developments to establish a direct connection to Cork.

Cork Chamber has previously lobbied for a reduction in travel times between Cork and Dublin to 90 minutes to enhance connectivity and foster economic growth across the whole island of Ireland.

The matter was a key element of the first Tri-Region Partnership delegation in Belfast in May 2024, at which time, Cork Chamber CEO Conor Healy remarked that fostering stronger links between the regions would ensure that each could “prosper and grow together, using these unrivalled opportunities as key economic engines of the island.”

The partnership has since convened again in Dublin, with with members of the Cork Chamber team being joined by representatives from the Port of Cork, Cork Airport, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, AxisBIC, MTU, CETB, Irish Rail and Visit Cork on a trade mission which included stops at Accenture’s generative AI studio ‘The Dock’ and An Post’s new cutting-edge HQ, the Exo Building.

The next leg of the tri-region partnership will meet in Cork this Autumn to progress shared objectives. Works are already underway to create an exciting itinerary for our visitors.

Just 16% of Cork firms have regular or frequent dealings in the North, with one-third of businesses reporting occasional cross-border trade, according to Cork Chamber’s Q3 2024 economic trends survey. Firms cited market access difficulties and logistics among the key reasons for the lack of trade, highlighting significant untapped potential.

Higher-speed rail is just one of the action points that has been prioritised by the partnership, which has also made a strong call for the restoration of the direct flight between Cork and Belfast.

Doing so would enhance business and tourism links, making the entire island more attractive and accessible for visitors and investors.

Furthermore, the Tri-Region Partnership has campaigned for:

• Funding Allocation for Ports: Securing investments to futureproof the three major ports, ensuring they can support economic growth and industrial advancements.

• All-Island Innovation Clusters: Promoting collaboration between industry and education to foster innovation and create competitive clusters across the island.

• Enhancing Tourism Links: Developing strong tourism links by harnessing regional strengths, place branding, and evolving the story of Ireland to represent a modern island.

These initiatives are seen as vital steps in creating a modern, competitive and sustainable island economy, allowing all three regions to benefit from stronger tourism, business, and innovation ties.

Collective leadership from the Chambers will help to advance these shared aims, according to Rob Horgan, President of Cork Chamber. He said, “The Chambers of Commerce have a critical role in leading collaboration and driving forward an all-island approach to economic development. By working together Cork, Dublin and Northern Ireland Chambers are demonstrating how collaborative leadership can open new opportunities for connectivity, innovation and growth.”

Mr Healy added, “We see significant potential to advance a more integrated approach to economic development, one that harnesses the strengths of each region and creates shared prosperity. From championing higher-speed rail between Cork, Dublin and Belfast to restoring flights between Cork and Belfast, we are focused on strengthening the connectivity that underpins business growth and regional development. By advancing discussion on the opportunities for our ports, fostering all-island innovation clusters, and enhancing tourism links, we are creating the foundations for a modern, competitive and sustainable island economy.”