John Hamill is President d’Honneur of the Chamber. He is also an elected Council member and is a regular participant in activities of the Chamber. Brian Callanan is also still a regular participant in activities of the Chamber.

 His Excellency the French Ambassador has been the Patron of the Ireland France Economic Association and the subsequent Chamber since its inception. The Chamber has been fortunate to hold many events in the lovely surroundings of the Ambassador’s Residence on Ailesbury Road.

 The objects for which the Economic Association was established in 1978 were as follows: 

• The promotion of better understanding in economic and trade matters between France and Ireland

• The facilitation of contacts between members of the French and Irish business communities

• The promotion of the expansion of bilateral trade between France and Ireland

• The organisation and sponsorship of events such as business missions, exhibitions and public meetings to advance and promote the aims of the Association

• The promotion of the establishment of a body with similar aims in France. (This objective was met in 1983 with the foundation of the ‘Association Economique France Irlande’ in Paris).

• Irish companies or organisations trading with, or wishing to begin trading with France

• French companies or organisations based in Ireland or with an interest in the Irish market

• Companies with French links seeking new markets or sources of supply

• Companies seeking investment opportunities, acquisitions or joint-venture partners

In its 30-year history, the Chamber has organised a great number of activities in a warm, welcoming yet business-like atmosphere, inviting speakers from business and political backgrounds to throw light on important topics of the day and to allow debates between members and these speakers. Formats of debate over the years have included Business Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners and the very popular evening ‘Club des Affaires’.

 Many different government ministers (both Irish and French) have spoken at Chamber events, and a particularly notable event was a speech to the Chamber by the French Prime Minister (M. JP Raffarin) in May, 2004 during the course of his official visit to Ireland.

Over the 30 years of its existence the Chamber has worked closely with many of the important business organisations and services in Ireland – particularly EnterpriseIreland, the IDA, IBEC, the CCEF, IBEC, ISME and the various departments of the French Embassy and UBIFRANCE. The decision of the Chamber in 2006 to join UCCIFE opens up a new set of contacts for the Chamber with an organisation of French Overseas Chambers of Commerce in 124 countries around the world!

The current list of well over 100 members of the Chamber pays testament to the vision of the founders of the original Economic Association – setting in train the development of a Chamber that would assist a massive expansion of trade between the two countries. The continuing renewal of their membership over the years by key players in this trade is proof of the continuing relevance of the Chamber to companies involved in the trade between Ireland and France!