The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has confirmed that the University of Limerick continues to have the highest percentage of women at professorial level in the country. Thirty-one percent, or almost one third of professors at UL, are female. This compares to a national average of only 19%. Speaking on the HEA report, UL president, Professor Don Barry said, “A university is about more than just buildings and facilities; it is the people who give universities life; they create a sense of energy and they provide the power to achieve great things. As you will be aware, in UL we are committed to ensuring that all faculty and staff are enabled to achieve their full potential through valuing diversity and equality of opportunity.” UL was last year selected as the only Irish university to participate in FESTA – Female Empowerment in Science and Technology in Academia. A European Commission FP7 funded cross national initiative, FESTA is a five year collaborative project …

THE improper disposal of asbestos at a number of locations in West Clare was unacceptable, it has been acknowledged by Clare County Council. Commenting on the independent report released this week, compiled by two former county managers in Cork and Tipperary following an investigation into the council’s disposal of waste asbestos cement pipes, chief executive, Tom Coughlan said, “The confirmation that the disposed material does not pose a public health risk is an important finding but does not negate the fact that the operational practices that led to the improper disposal of asbestos were unacceptable”. “These practices fell short of the standards, policies and procedures that were in place within Clare County Council at the time and which remain in place in order to comply with a changing regulatory environment and enhanced guidance documents,” he added. The council has yet to put a figure on what the asbestos disposal will cost. Earlier this year, Councillor PJ Kelly told a then …

Retail Excellence Ireland  (REI) has called on the Government to deliver on the call from the National Competitiveness Council to publish the Attorney General’s determination on why Upwards Only Rent Reviews (UORRs) should not be abolished. Ennis-based, David Fitzsimons, CEO of REI, said, “This Government reneged on previous commitments to abolish UORRs. They based this decision on a determination from the Attorney General. We note the NCC’s call for this determination to be published. This would help inform the debate and enable all sides to understand why the Government reneged on its commitments.” Mr Fitzsimons said many retailers employing too many staff , are being crucified by the legacy of UORR on leases some of which last for 20-25 years and are tied to personal guarantees. “Following a review of the determination, there could be scope for better informed decisions on how this toxic legacy of the Celtic Tiger can finally be put to bed,” he said.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has an extensive list of  unsafe toys, which Santa shouldn’t be asked to bring this Christmas. Last year, the commission prevented some 20,000 unsafe toys from being placed for sale on the Irish market. The unsafe toys, mainly imported from China, were unbranded, of poor quality and intended for sale at markets or discount shops. If the commission determines that a product presents a hazard to the consumer, it can compel the trader to take appropriate remedial action, which might include the product being withdrawn from the market and the recall and or repair of products already sold. The commission is the Irish contact point for the Europe-wide rapid alert system, RAPEX, which contains a list of all product recalls, which have taken place in the EU. Safety tips for parents in guiding their children when compiling their Santa list: Only buy toys with the CE Mark. All toys for sale in Ireland must have the …

AS the Christmas shopping season begins in earnest this weekend, an appeal is being made to potential customers, if at all possible, to keep the cash registers ringing around the Banner County. This is part of the buy Irish, buy local campaign. In our 56-page Christmas shopping guide in this week’s Clare Champion, we showcase the many and varied shops, businesses and services countywide that depend on our continued support. For most, especially retailers, the festive season presents the best opportunity for them to boost their income, as a cushion against the leaner months. There is very little in the way of Christmas goods or foodstuff that cannot be bought or ordered without straying outside of the county boundary. Although Christmas concentrates the mind on this issue, there is no reason why we cannot adopt this stance all through the year. The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has appealed to consumers to make a national effort and ‘shop …

ELEMENT Six are taking on another 40 staff in Shannon and say that there is likely to be scope for further growth due to a €25 million capital investment and the relocation of €20 million of assets to the Shannon plant. Five years ago the company announced redundancies and the overall number of Shannon employees dropped to 250. However it has since rebounded to around 360 and is now set to hit 400. Walter Huhn, Chief Executive of Element Six, was in Shannon on Wednesday and he said that the painful cost cutting measures introduced in Shannon have secured the future of the plant, and led to a situation where it is now expanding again. “We started the restructuring in Shannon five years ago with a very clear focus on what we wanted to achieve, what we had to achieve because the global market was changing and the competitive environment was changing. We had to be even more of a …

Santa Claus will soon be setting out from the North Pole with his reindeer and sleigh in the direction of Ireland and he wants to know what toys and treats to load up for the children of County Clare. He needs your list pretty soon, as the elves have to put the finishing touches to some of the toys, computer games, team jerseys and other surprises. Rather than run the risk of your letter not reaching Santa’s North Pole workshop, why not write to The Clare Champion and let us deliver it for you. After all, we have been delivering the news to the people of Clare and adjoining counties for over 120 years. Send your letter to Santa, C/O The Clare Champion, Barrack Street, Ennis, County Clare. Because we have received so many letters  and have to sort them in alphabetical order to make things easier for Santa, we have decided to extend the deadline to 12 noon on …

Ennis needs to capitalise on its rail connectivity, local councillor Mary Howard said this week. Councillor Howard has highlighted the potential of increasing footfall in Ennis by providing incentives for the population in the hinterland of the Limerick Galway rail line to travel to Ennis and shop on the run up to Christmas. Ms Howard has requested a strategy that would seek to entice the estimated 300,000 people that live within a five mile commute to rail stations along the Limerick to Galway rail line. She recommends the provision of an easily accessible bus freely available to those willing to travel from the rail station to a number of stops in Ennis town centre. “Ennis has a lot to offer if it is properly marketed. “Ennis is situated practically half way between a population of 57,000 in Limerick and 75,000 in Galway and it offers a completely different shopping experience to the large retail outlets in both those cities,” she …