Our Supporters are a network of groups that are helping to spread the message about the campaign. Chambers Ireland - the representative body for chambers of commerce - is one of them and has helped to involve the network of chambers of commerce as Supporters.

Local chambers are being proactive in supporting this campaign and we have received many messages of support from presidents and chief executives of the chambers.

Ian Talbot, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, stated: “Chambers Ireland together with many of our affiliated chambers is delighted to support the Ideas Campaign. We all know the difficult challenges we face and we need innovative ways to meet them. We must stay positive, remain confident and remember that success always follows when preparation meets opportunity. The Ideas Campaign gives a voice to every person to contribute directly.”

Here are some messages from other chambers across the country:

Athlone Chamber

Athlone Chamber of Commerce is among local organisations that are supporting the campaign. Aengus O’Rourke, President of Athlone Chamber: “We in the chamber believe it is important not to get involved in a spiral of negative thinking. It’s time to start thinking practically and positively, and this is one of the best times to start a business. There are lots of people out there with great ideas, and the chamber fully supports the concept behind the Ideas Campaign. We encourage anybody out there with bright ideas that can be implemented immediately by the Government to get submitting.”

Ballina Chamber

Ballina Chamber: “We are delighted to support the campaign and be associated with it as it is generating a positive atmosphere and is highlighting the entrepreneurial and survival skills of the Irish people. Even though we are in the midst of very difficult times, we must look to the future and see what opportunities are out there to help our existing businesses survive and to encourage innovative ideas, Ballina Chamber encourages people to log onto the Ideas Website and see for themselves a more positive approach that will encourage them in their own businesses.”

Cork Chamber

Cork Chamber Chief Executive Conor Healy: “Cork Chamber supports the Ideas Campaign in its efforts to identify ways of preserving and growing employment, stimulating new economic activity and creating innovative business ideas. The campaign wants ideas and involvement from local business owners/executives, workers and entrepreneurs and indeed from anyone concerned with the important economic issues and decisions facing the country. I would encourage such people to contact the Ideas Campaign website, www.ideascampaign.ie to register their views and have their say in the proposed action plan.”

Galway Chamber

Michael Coyle, Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce: “Galway Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the Ideas Campaign initiative and encourages all Businesses to participate by bringing forward ideas and suggestions which will protect jobs, stimulate economic activity and enhance Ireland’s competitiveness. Galway Chamber believes it imperative to focus on positive actions and positive messages at this crucial time in our economic history. Ireland is a resilient country with a proven track record of innovation.”

Kilkenny Chamber

Kilkenny Chamber is supporting the Ideas campaign. Chief Executive of Kilkenny Chamber Alison McGrath: “The chamber believes that it is important for the people of Kilkenny to be positive. We in the chamber feel that it is time to start thinking practically and realistically about how we can encourage our economy to move forward. Kilkenny Chamber feels that harnessing ideas will in turn create more positivity and innovation within the region and we would encourage everyone to log onto www.ideascampagin.ie to leave a message of support, post your idea or even just to get a practical guide to what is really going on in the economy.”

Laois Chamber

Margaret Ryan, Chief Executive of Laois Chamber: “This is a most welcome and positive initiative and I would like to compliment all those involved in getting this message out there. Laois Chamber strongly urges everyone with a suitable idea to participate in this campaign. Your ideas will help to grow this economy and get it out of the paralysis that we now find ourselves in. You have the ideas, the platform is there, use it and let’s get this country up and running again.”

Letterkenny Chamber

Toni Forrester, Chief Executive of Letterkenny Chamber: “Letterkenny Chamber supports the Ideas Campaign by encouraging our members to contribute ideas to preserve and grow employment, stimulate new economic activity, create business opportunities or bring about policy changes for rebuilding the economy and create new business ideas. During this difficult economic period businesses are seeking new and innovative ways of doing business. This campaign harnesses the creativity and innovative capacity of the business community that is working hard to survive and move forward into the future. The North West has always shown resilience and creativity in the face of diversity this campaign encourages us all to work together to secure our future.”

Limerick Chamber

Maria Kelly, Chief Executive of Limerick Chamber: “Limerick Chamber is delighted to support the Ideas Campaign and would encourage all businesses in the Limerick area to log on to the web site and register their support. We are beginning to see a return to what made us strong in the first place which is innovation, creativity and energy. And if we all focus on finding solutions, like this campaign encourages us to, I am confident we will emerge from this recession even stronger than we were before.”

Shannon Chamber

Helen Downes, Interim Chief Executive, Shannon and District Chamber of Commerce: “The Ideas Campaign is a truly unique initiative as it is awakening the idea-generation capacity of the general public and giving them an independent platform to put forward ideas for stimulating economic activity in Ireland.”

“The chamber is more than delighted to promote and share this initiative with its members… The potential for presenting a comprehensive and thought provoking white paper to Government at the end of the process is immense so we urge chamber members and the people of the Mid-West to get involved. The process is as simple as sending an idea to the Ideas Campaign with a suggestion for preserving and growing employment, stimulating new economic activity or creating business ideas. The ideas are out there and hopefully the results of this initiative will be seen in years to come.”

Tullamore Chamber

Tony McCormack, President of Tullamore Chamber: “The Ideas Campaign is a simple yet tremendously effective initiative. Its appeal to the general public can be gauged from the fact it has received over 2,300 ideas from people of all areas of life whose love for their country has spurred them to put forward ideas which they believe (when refined and collated by the campaign) could help to form a basis for our economic recovery.”

Waterford Chamber

Monica Leech, Chief Executive of Waterford Chamber: “Waterford Chamber welcomes and supports this positive initiative. In this time of challenge we all need to do our part to seek out creative solutions and innovate our way back to competitiveness. We welcome and encourage anyone with a bright idea to get online at www.ideascampaign.ie.”

“Waterford Chamber is working together with Waterford City Development Board and WIT on hosting an ideas forum where local businesses from all sectors will present innovative solutions to the current challenges and identify opportunities arising in the changed marketplace. In May a wide range of innovative creative speakers will address businesses at our Innovate to Compete including international renowned thought leader on innovation Alexander Osterwalder.”

Wexford Chamber

Madeleine Quirke, President of the Wexford Chamber, feels that the overly negative media coverage of recent months has disabled our potential to be innovative and entrepreneurial: “We are resilient by nature and have a proven record of success in the face of adversity and seemingly uncontrollable problems encountered in the business environment. The Ideas Campaign concept should be viewed with great positivity and I would encourage all, young and old, to put on their thinking caps and voice your suggestions online in the knowledge that they will be brought to the attention of An Taoiseach. This is your opportunity to engage directly engage with the serious economic issues this country is facing.”