DBEC Quarterly Meeting Takes Place in Dublin: City’s Role Vital to Driving Growth and Connectivity Along the Corridor

DBEC Quarterly Meeting Takes Place in Dublin: City’s Role Vital to Driving Growth and Connectivity Along the Corridor

The Dublin–Belfast Economic Corridor (DBEC) Political Advisory Group held its quarterly meeting on Thursday, 25 September 2025, in the historic Oak Room, Mansion House, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to highlight Dublin’s strategic role in driving economic growth, competitiveness, and connectivity along the Corridor.

Welcoming delegates, Cllr McAdam, reaffirmed the city’s importance as a gateway for the region:

“As Ireland’s gateway to the Dublin–Belfast Economic Corridor, Dublin plays a vital role in the region’s growth. To maximise benefits for the entire Corridor, we must prioritise development here in the city. The collaboration fostered through DBEC will act as a catalyst for inclusive growth, transforming the 100-mile stretch between Dublin and Belfast into a global economic powerhouse.”

The Lord Mayor continued:

“Dublin’s scale, economic output, and international connectivity position it as a key driver for regional prosperity. Strategic investment in housing, utilities, transport, and sustainable infrastructure will not only strengthen Dublin’s competitiveness but also enhance the performance of the Economic Corridor as a whole.”

The meeting also saw the election of two new Co-Chairs of the DBEC Political Advisory Group – one representing Northern Ireland and one representing the Republic of Ireland – ensuring balanced cross-border leadership. The newly elected Co-Chairs, Councillor Sharon Tolan, Meath County Council and Councillor Ryan Carlin, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council said:

“The Corridor is about unlocking potential on both sides of the border. We are committed to providing the leadership needed to drive growth, investment, and prosperity across the region. Our long-term vision is for DBEC to become a leading economic corridor in Europe. Together, across the eight council areas, we represent one-third of the island’s population and numerous world-class businesses and clusters. To achieve our ambition, we must focus on connectivity, skills, infrastructure, and policy, ensuring the right conditions are in place for both indigenous enterprise and inward investment to thrive.”

Both Co-Chairs emphasised the importance of long-term investment:

“Ongoing and future investment in infrastructure, alongside the regeneration of towns and villages along the Corridor, will help businesses to grow while improving quality of life for our communities. Better transport links will connect people with jobs and businesses with markets. Enhanced air and sea infrastructure will expand the region’s global reach. DBEC is about creating an ecosystem that delivers benefits for everyone along the Corridor.”

Dublin City Council is one of eight local authorities from either side of the Border which form the DBEC Partnership is a cross-border collaboration of eight local authorities—Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon; Belfast City; Newry, Mourne and Down District Council; Fingal; Lisburn and Castlereagh; Louth; Meath; —alongside Dublin City University and Ulster University. Together, the Partnership is working to strengthen economic resilience and unlock long-term regional prosperity on the Economic Corridor.

For more information on the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor, visit: www.dbec.info