News

Cork Airport re-opens

Cork Airport reopens today after being closed for the past 10 weeks to reconstruct the main runway there. corkairport

It is part of a €40 million investment programme currently under way at the airport.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin presided at the ceremony to mark the completion of the runway reconstruction project this afternoon.

The runway was re-built in two-and-a-half months, while funding for the project was only allocated 12 months ago.

Cork Airport says it is the fastest large-scale construction project undertaken in the State in recent years and it is the single biggest government investment in the airport.

Weather theme for Irish promotion

Tourism Ireland in Canada is teaming up with The Weather Network, in a new collaboration to promote Ireland. canada1121

Pictured are Sandra Moffatt, Tourism Ireland; Elizabeth Steede, Katie's Claddagh Cottage; host Chris Mei; and producer Nora Jartan, at Katie's Claddagh Cottage, in Galway.

The Weather Network is a hugely popular TV channel in Canada. The partnership with Tourism Ireland involves four new short videos, which will air on The Weather Network next month and will be seen by around 10 million people across Canada. It will also include an episode of the channel’s podcast, This Day in Weather History, which will be released on 21 December and will focus on the winter solstice at Newgrange.

Host Chris Mei and producer Nora Jartan have been filming here this week – as guests of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland – capturing lots of great content at locations like Blacksod Lighthouse, the Ballycroy Visitor Centre, Katie's Claddagh Cottage and Newgrange.

The videos and podcast will also be promoted extensively on The Weather Network’s digital and social media platforms.

Further Hospitality Supports Planned

Senior Government ministers will meet later today to discuss the introduction of specific measures to support the hospitality sector.

Te move follows resports of a spate of cancellations for Christmas parties and other events. donohoe1019

The Cabinet Sub Committee on Economic Recovery will also consider the ongoing Covid supports amid continued concern about the rise in Covid case numbers and increasing pressure on hospitals.

The Government and its public health advisers have been reasserting the message for people to reduce their social contacts.

While that is believed to be having an effect, public health officials say the spread of Covid in the community is at a worrying level.

With further restrictions not ruled out, senior ministers will consider this evening whether to delay planned cuts to the wage subsidy scheme, along with measures for the hospitality and arts industries.

Gibbons 'Most Influential ceo'

Tourism Ireland ceo Niall Gibbons has been named most influential Irish chief executive on LinkedIn for the second consecutive year in the Reputations Agency’s Social CEO ngibbons0621

report.

Robert Finnegan of Three Ireland climbed two spots to second place in this year’s ranking, ahead of Vodafone Ireland’s Anne O’Leary and Bank of Ireland’s Francesca McDonagh in third and fourth place respectively.

The communications agency’s 2021 analysis of LinkedIn activity saw An Post’s David McRedmond rise nine places to fifth, while Cathriona Hallahan of Microsoft Ireland was ranked sixth.

The top 10 was completed by Lidl Ireland’s John Paul Scally in seventh spot, Facebook Ireland’s Gareth Lambe in eighth and, in joint ninth place, IDA Ireland’s Martin Shanahan and Sky Ireland’s JD Buckley. Mr Buckley was the second-highest climber in this year’s list, moving up eight places.