Ambassadors for Shannon Region

THE Shannon Region is receiving vital support in this time of recession with a new high-powered US-based business group pledging to champion its cause Stateside.

While the United States has always been a good friend to Ireland in terms of establishing industries here, this is nevertheless an important strategy as President Barack Obama’s administration wants more US companies to invest at home in an effort to reverse the economic decline there.
Members of the new North American Advisory Council (NAAC) established by Shannon Development, met in Adare this week and pledged to “act as business ambassadors for Ireland and the Shannon Region”. The council is a network of Irish people, with business or family ties to the Shannon Region, who are in positions of influence in various fields of endeavour in the US.
Membership of the group includes Niall O’Dowd, proprietor of The Irish Voice and Irish Central.com; John Fitzpatrick, president of the North American Fitzpatrick Family Hotels Group; Declan Kelly, senior vice-president of sales/marketing at GECAS; Al Nunan, senior vice-president of business banking at Capital One Bank; Michael Brewster, managing director of private banking (US Division), Credit Suisse and Sean O’Sullivan, senior vice-president of Universal McCann.
The NAAC met for the first time in the US in December and the first Irish-based meeting took place at Adare Manor on Tuesday when representatives of industry, tourism and education from the Shannon Region were briefed on aims and objects of the organisation.
Clare man Michael Vaughan, representing the Irish Hotel Federation; Professor Jim Deegan from the University of Limerick; Bill Doherty representing the Mid-West branch of the American Chamber of Commerce, and Isobel O’Regan from Savills property consultants, were among those who outlined the many opportunities the Shannon Region presents for potential overseas investors.
The NAAC visitors’ schedule stretched far beyond this meeting, however. Over a period of three days, they attended a full programme of site visits and meetings with key individuals and interest groups, which were organised by Shannon Development. They got a good handle on what things are like on the ground in a region that has taken serious knocks in respect of its tourism and industry sectors. They fully appreciate the enormity of the challenge to persuade investors in the US to play a part in helping to turn the situation around.
Explaining the background to the NAAC, Shannon Development chief executive, Dr Vincent Cunnane said they wanted to establish a grouping of highly motivated people “who would provide a sounding board for new ideas and initiatives and assist Shannon Development in peer-to-peer marketing and create authentic brand connections – both tourism and industry”.
“The group will act as ambassadors for Ireland and the Shannon Region,” Dr Cunnane said.
In this time of crisis, all the help we can get is to be welcomed and it’s an advantage that in this specific instance, it is coming from people in the NAAC who have a good understanding of the Irish economy and an insight into the Shannon Region.

Smoke-free playgrounds
THE Health Service Executive, in partnership with Clare County Council, Clare Sports Partnership and participating community playground management committees are launching a smoke-free playgrounds initiative in Clare to coincide with World No Tobacco Day on Monday next.
The very fact that people should need to be cautioned against smoking in amenity areas, where the majority of users are children, sounds almost illogical when the health risks posed by passive smoking are well known.  However, that’s the way it is, as it probably doesn’t cross the minds of many of the smokers.
The smoke-free initiative entails signage displays at playground entrances to request that anyone who enters does not smoke. The signage appeals to people’s goodwill and acts as a reminder that smoke-free environments are best for children’s health.
On a very positive note, the signage also guides smokers towards support services to help them quit. 
Mayor of Clare, Councillor Tony Mulcahy and Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Frankie Neylon will officially launch the smoke-free playgrounds initiative in the Fairgreen, Ennis on Monday at 10.30am. They will formally hand over the official smoke-free signage to the 12 participating playground committees. The principals and children from St Clare’s and Cloughleigh primary schools will also be attending the event.
HSE Tobacco Control Framework project manager, Martina Blake, underlined how it has long been established that the behaviour of children is modelled on the behaviour of parents and other adults.
“The introduction of smoke-free playgrounds will ensure a tobacco-free environment for children in their recreational space. This initiative will help prevent young people starting to smoke and reduce the exposure of children to second hand smoke – a known carcinogen.
Mayor Mulcahy stressed that a culture of a healthy and balanced lifestyle throughout a person’s life is important in developing a lifelong commitment to recreation, sport and physical activity.
Clare County Council has supported the development of 27 community playgrounds throughout the county in conjunction with local community groups with a total investment of €2 million. The council, through this initiative, has encouraged community groups to promote a no-smoking policy within playgrounds.
It’s often said that we are but temporary guardians of planet earth, our own particular country and indeed local area. We have a responsibility to protect and nurture our environment for future generations. Equally, our children are our future and they deserve to be given every chance to grow into healthy adults. Smokers, whether in playgrounds or their own homes, should give consideration to this before they light up.