Chamber interest in minister’s address

WITH a decision on the future of the airport imminent, there will be much interest in Transport Minister Leo Varadkar’s address at Shannon Chamber’s spring lunch at the Oakwood Arms at 1pm on Friday.
Chamber president Damian Gleeson has encouraged tourism providers, operators and members of the business community to take time out to meet the minister and voice their views on the Booz Report.
“Opinions only turn into action when they are heard and heard by the decision makers. While the minister has spoken to chamber executives in advance of publishing the recent report, he has not, as yet, had the opportunity to address or mingle with the business community at Shannon, for whom the airport is an imperative component of their business operations, for both passenger and freight movement. This is possibly the last opportunity for engagement on a very pertinent issue for the Mid-West Region before the final decision is made.”
He said he hopes to hear a few more details about the minister’s plans. “We hope the minister, in addressing attendees on Friday, will elaborate on the findings of the Booz and Company Report and be fortright in his views on how he feels a very strategic piece of infrastructure, such as Shannon Airport, can be-energised to make its rightful contribution to the national economy.”
The Chamber is also holding an early-morning two-hour briefing on employment law next Tuesday at 7.45am at the Oakwood Arms. Targeted at human resource practitioners, managers and business owners, the briefing will also involve the Equality Authority of Ireland with keynote speaker, Deirdre Toomey, development officer with the authority, making a presentation on the need for and benefits of equality policies to an organisation.
Shannon Chamber’s chief executive Helen Downes explains, “Post-Celtic Tiger Ireland may be an environment where employment is welcome and appreciated more than it was when the economy was booming and jobs were plentiful. This does not mean that employees’ terms and conditions should be lax or employees placed in a position where they have no means of redress for any misunderstanding or query.
“In today’s environment, ensuring an organisation has fully compliant terms and conditions of employment and the required policies and procedures in place are vital. This event will provide answers to important questions such as what terms must be included in a contract of employment; can an organisation vary/amend terms and conditions; what constitutes a breach of a contract of employment; key considerations when using fixed term contracts; equality best practice within organisations; what policies and procedures should an organisation have in place and how to effectively draft and implement policies that meet an organisation’s needs.”
Case law examples will be referenced and members of the Shannon HR Forum, which has been in existence for over a year and involves a number of eminent companies in Shannon, will be in attendance to answer questions directly for attendees.
For information or to make bookings for either of the events, contact admin@shannonchamber.ie, jfinucane@shannonchamber.ie or call 061 708341.