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Why shouldn’t Killarney become a financial hub?
I
IN A FEW weeks’ time, expressions of interest will be sought in relation to the future use of the Pretty Polly site in Killarney. It got us thinking – what about establishing it as a centre for a financial hub in the town?
Brexit is pushing Dublin up in global financial hub rankings. But why should the capital be the only centre to benefit?
Since the UK voted to leave the European Union, Britain’s many financial firms have explored moving headquarters or setting up new subsidiaries elsewhere to keep a foothold in the EU’s single market.
Why shouldn’t Killarney present itself as a contender in the battle between European cities to lure banks, insurers and other finance-related industries?
Dublin is well positioned to attract Brexit-related relocations for several reasons, including that it’s a short flight from London, shares the same language, and levies some of the lowest tax rates in the Europe.
Yet with a bit of foresight Killarney should surely be just as enviable a location.
We have one of the best conference locations in Ireland and in addition, we are an hour from Cork Airport, and hour and a half’s drive from Shannon Airport and just fifteen minutes from Kerry Airport.
And while we complain about our property prices, they are far, far less expensive than those in Dublin or London.
So why shouldn’t Killarney entice some of the financial service companies post-Brexit? Killarney has the transport routes, conference facilities and accommodation to service international services industries.
So, come on, and let’s think big. Why not put together a professional working group to target sectors such as these? We need a single-minded independent commission-based project to drive this forward.
Above: London's financial district.
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