ICOS to promote role of €12bn co-operative sector in recovery

THE Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) plans to encourage the creation of new co-operatives among a range of initiatives over the coming year.

While huge optimism is evident in the dairy sector ahead of the ending of the EU milk quota regime in 2015, ICOS is also anticipating growth in other key areas of agriculture.

As a result, it is strengthening its services in areas such as multi- purpose dairy co-ops; livestock-related co-ops; service-related co-ops; community, culture and leisure co-ops; food and fishing co-ops; store and trade co-ops and advisory and education co-ops.

As well as being a significant year for ICOS’s ambitions, 2012 is also the United Nations’ International Year of Co-operatives. As such, ICOS, the umbrella group for Irish co-ops, is now restating the co-operative ethos of pursuing economic viability prosperity, and social responsibility.

ICOS president Pat McLoughlin said: “Since the foundation of the Irish co-operative movement by Sir Horace Plunkett in 1894, Ireland has developed a long and proud tradition of co-operative enterprise. Undoubtedly, Ireland is a better place today for the leadership, courage and endeavours of the early Irish co-operators.”

Today, ICOS represents co-operatives whose associated businesses have a combined turnover in the region of €12bn, with some 150,000 individual members, employing 12,000 people in Ireland, and a further 24,000 personnel overseas.

Mr McLoughlin added: “In as much as 2012 offers us the opportunity to embrace a proud past, as a sector we must also share and widely promote the key attributes that have contributed to the success of co-operative enterprises in Ireland.

“Plunkett’s vision and pioneering approach towards the issues of his generation helped to lift rural Ireland out of economic poverty and exploitation. In many ways, the challenges that Ireland faced in his times are replicated today. Co-operative businesses, therefore, have a continuing vital role to play in Ireland’s economic recovery and renewal for the future.”

ICOS is using the UN spotlight on 2012 to encourage Irish co-operatives to highlight to their members, customers and their communities the essential role that co-ops have to play in stimulating economic growth and societal wellbeing across Ireland for the future.

ICOS chief executive Tom O’Callaghan said: “ICOS is continuing to advance the development of its organisation in the interests of all member co-operatives and their constituents. At the same time, 2012 also provides the opportunity to recognise and support the role that co-operatives play in strengthening and supporting the economic and social fabric of their local communities.

“In the current year, ICOS will continue its co-operative leadership, training and education programmes and will also encourage new membership. We will actively highlight the future potential of the co-operative movement to policymakers, rather than dwell on our past. At a European level, we will continue to enhance the importance of our Brussels office and European-based personnel in the interests of our member organisations.”

Mr O’Callaghan said ICOS will continue to identify opportunities for expansion and growth that are market-focused and well-governed. He added that ICOS will continue to promote and pursue those opportunities working closely with its members.