Below is the address by Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea to the 66th FEFPEB Congress in Cork:
Good evening Ladies & Gentleman. It gives me great pleasure to join you all here this evening in the Rochestown Park Hotel for The European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB), where it will hold its 66th Congress in Cork over the next three days.
Firstly, you are all very welcome to Cork and I am delighted to see that (FEFPEB) chose Cork as its destination for the Congress which represents industries of 14 European countries. I am thrilled that representatives from Austria; Belgium; Denmark; France; Germany; Italy; Lithuania; the Netherlands; Portugal; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; and the UK have all made here to Cork in one piece for this informative networking and mind provoking conference.
The congress, which is titled “Wooden pallets and packaging: A sustainable business in a fast-changing world”, will highlight the foremost issues affecting the timber pallet and packaging sector and offer the chance to discuss and network with colleagues from around the world.
I am delighted to see this congress being based in Cork and I believe a key part of your programme of events over the coming days will feature visits to some of Ireland’s leading companies in the sector, including
a state-of-the-art sawmill,
a pallet manufacturer
and a composite block manufacturer;
I am proud to say, as Mayor of the County of Cork that these companies are all Cork based companies which we are all deeply proud of. As a member of a local government structure here in Cork, who has a leading role in the Economic Development of our County, we see companies like those just mentioned and other around the county and country as key economic drivers for our region.
These companies provide the local authority here in Cork with an annual rates contribution which goes directly towards the development of our beautiful county here in Cork. But they not just do this. They provide many locals with employment and skilling opportunity that many would have to travel far outside this county to receive. They also provide a great sense of social development for our County, and we see this in many communities where they are proud to say that one of these wood pallet and packaging facilities is based in our town. As Mayor of the County I think it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge these companies this evening during my opportunity to address you.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea with President of FEFPEB Rob Van Hoesel at the Congress.
Now, back to the Congress!. My understanding is that the event will also focus on the environmental credentials of the wooden pallet and packaging industry, highlighting its role as an outlet for approximately 25 per cent of the output of home grown sawn timber. It will also showcase it as a material that absorbs carbon from the atmosphere as it grows and stores at the end of its useful life; and that plays a central part in sustainable forestry. It is also interesting to note that during your congress, you all will share the knowledge of other packaging industries worldwide, which can only benefit the further progression of your businesses.
This is a unique networking opportunity for you all to discuss how current operations work in your business and what we can do as a grouping to increase the profile of the wooden pallet and packaging industry in Ireland, and indeed further afield, which as we know as a whole is a key stakeholder in the growth of our economy into the future. If we can succeed in this over the next few days, I honestly can see a very bright future in the wooden pallet and packaging industry into the future.
I know you have alot of business to attend to over the next few days, which is very important, however, please don’t go home without enjoy and sampling the beauty, heritage and culture that Cork has to offer. I’m sure my Irish colleagues within your congress will ensure that is the case.
Again, thank you for the kind invitation here this evening to the opening of your congress and I wish you well over the coming days.
Go raibh míle maith agaidh go leir!