Tag Archives: Helen Downes

Shannon Chamber was named as the winner of the ‘Most Successful Policy Campaign’ category in Chambers Ireland’s Awards 2022. The awards, hosted by Chambers Ireland, recognise the work of chambers of commerce throughout the country in supporting local, regional, and national business. The announcement was made at the awards ceremony in Dublin. Shannon Chamber’s entry into this category was the preparation of the business case for a multi-annual, fully funded regional air access recovery and growth action plan, which was presented to Government. The business case was prepared by Shannon Chamber in collaboration with the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), and supported by Ennis, Limerick, and Galway Chambers. The objective of this policy campaign was to demonstrate that, while the funding allocated by Government to support Irish airports up to 2021 was welcome, a reform of funding strategy would be needed in the future. The collective business and hospitality representative grouping wanted the Government to consider providing three forms of sustained …

IN light of the current labour market crisis, Shannon Chamber has sought answers on delays in securing work permits for non-EEA nationals. A request was made by members of Shannon Chamber’s HR Forum to meet with Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, to discuss labour market matters. Minister English was able to assure them that delays being experienced in the processing of employment permits for non-EEA nationals were being reduced. The meeting arranged through Deputy Joe Carey, which was held virtually, enabled Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes and members of the HR Forum to discuss these issues in person with Minister English and officials from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The minister acknowledged that the delays to employment permit processing times are not acceptable. He said, “We experienced a significant increase in applications for employment permits in the past year, impacting on processing times. “From the start of January to the end of …

THE social nature of Covid-related behaviour was the topic of a fascinating webinar delivered to Shannon Chamber members. “How people (mis)perceive risk, how they respond to symptoms of the disease, the impact of campaign reminders, behavioural impacts of blended working, and wellbeing, were just some of the issues addressed by Professor Pete Lunn. The founder and head of the Behavioural Research Unit (BRU) at the ESRI was addressing a recent Shannon Chamber webinar, supported by Adare Human Resource Management. As a member of the Behavioural Change Subgroup of NPHET and the Department of Health’s Communications and Behavioural Advisory Committee, Professor Lunn’s team have conducted multiple behavioural studies for the Department of Health and the Department of the Taoiseach, designed to support compliance with public health guidance and to improve public communication. Advising organisations to factor in the great variability in how people handle uncertainty, he said it was crucially important to ensure that employees understand and can clearly see the …

LAST week saw the Government announce funding of almost €14 million for airports in Donegal, Knock, Kerry and Waterford, but not for Shannon. It is a situation that has been criticised by Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes, who says the Clare airport is now eligible for supports that others are getting. “If the Government is serious about its promise, in the National Planning Framework, to drive regional economies, it may be timely for them to broaden their support for airports that are vital catalysts for regional growth. “Shannon Airport suffers from a lack of support around capital expenditure projects and is in the process of investing €20 million in safety and security projects from its own resources.   “This funding would be better invested in securing new routes and services to feed the regional economy. “However, unlike other regional airports, who recently received Government subsidisation in the order of €14 million for capital expenditure works, Shannon receives no exchequer support …

One of the most influential figures in world aviation, Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group (IAG) will visit Shannon next Friday to give the keynote address at Shannon Chamber’s President’s lunch in Dromoland Castle Hotel. The event is being supported by GECAS in recognition of its 50th year legacy in aviation finance. Shannon Chamber’s chief executive Helen Downes said they were delighted, after much perseverance, to have secured the head of one of the leading airlines in the world, parent company of Aer Lingus and British Airways, plus Iberia and Vueling, to address their annual luncheon. “It is most appropriate, given the concentration of aviation companies in Shannon, and the fact that AG’s strategies and ambitions are particularly relevant to Shannon, that he has chosen to visit us at this time. “This is an event which has been most welcomed by our members and we are looking forward to hearing Mr Walsh’s views on future developments and trends …

With the Government hosting a series of All-Ireland sectoral dialogues to assess how the UK’s decision to exit from the EU may impact on this country, Shannon Chamber is taking a similar approach to the aerospace sector. The business group has invited the CEO of the Irish Aviation Authority to address members at a breakfast briefing in the Inn at Dromoland on Thursday, February 9. Shannon Chamber’s chief executive Helen Downes said, “As highlighted in the National Aviation Policy for Ireland, published in 2015, aviation plays a crucial role in Ireland’s economy and, as an island nation,we are more dependent on aviation than our trading partners. “This 2015 report pointed to the overall value of the sector to Ireland’s economy – €4.1bn to our GDP: €1.9bin directly from aviation, €1.3bn through the supply chain and €0.9bn from associated spending by people employed in aviation. “It supports 26,000 jobs directly and a further 16,000 in the supply chain.Ireland’s tourism, which is …

CLARE County Council has been included in Chambers Ireland’s shortlist for the Excellence in Local Government Awards 2016, announced today (Thursday). The council is included among the 23 local authorities shortlisted over sixteen categories. Commenting on the announcement, Shannon Chamber chief executive Helen Downes said, “Shortlisted in the Supporting Tourism category for its involvement in and support for the Ennis Book Club Festival demonstrates the council’s commitment to showcasing the county as a vibrant tourism destination for themed initiatives of this nature. Entering these awards and reaching the final listings is a great commendation for everyone involved in the Ennis Book Club Festival, which is going from strength to strength.” Continuing, she said,“With Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2016 just a week away, in which Clare County Council will be heavily involved, and with the newly appointed CEO, Pat Dowling, set to take up his position in September, we anticipate seeing the council enter, be shortlisted, and win many more awards …

Key figures in Shannon region companies have pledged to become conference and sports events ambassadors. An event in Dromoland Castle Hotel, hosted by Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau, in association with Fáilte Ireland and Shannon Chamber, sought to encourage a greater cohort of companies in the region to assess how they could bring a national or international conference, meeting, incentive group or a sporting event to the area. Karen Brosnahan, business manager for Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau said, “The bureau ambassador programme is running for over 10 years and has over 500 members.  A local ambassador is anyone who can influence a meeting, conference or event. The bureau, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, offers a wide range of practical and financial supports to help ambassadors win business for their region. In 2015, the bureau secured €7million in economic impact between business and sports tourism with over 50% of events secured as a result of local ambassadors.” Mary Collins, Meet in …