Business chief urges co-operation in west

The west of Ireland can be an “unstoppable force” if key stakeholders work together, one of the State’s leading business figures said as she received one of the region’s top awards.

Rose Hynes, chairwoman of the Shannon Group, said there was a new belief and confidence across the west and midwest thanks to a fresh spirit of partnership between stakeholders.

Speaking as she received the president’s award at the Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards at the Strand Hotel, Ms Hynes said meaningful collaboration is now happening between Shannon Airport, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, tourism authorities, chambers of commerce, Limerick Institute of Technology, University of Limerick and local authorities.

“This region can really be an unstoppable force if we continue with this new spirit of joined-up thinking . . . Working together in a joined-up way will achieve things that are currently out of our range on an individual basis,” she said.

Ms Hynes, chairwoman of Bord Gáis, said Shannon Airport is playing a central role in this collaboration and highlighted gains made this year, including securing a range of additional routes for next year.