Conference to look at regional growth

KEY commentators specialising in regional development will gather for a two-day conference in Co Clare today to discuss the need for greater investment in areas outside Dublin.

The Balancing Regional Development event will take place at the Shannon Shamrock Hotel in Bunratty.

It will be attended by Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv, chairman of Shannon Development John Brassil, Clare Community Forum chairman Richard Cahill and other speakers.

It comes after 10,000 people packed into Limerick city centre on Saturday to protest at the Aer Lingus decision to scrap its Shannon to Heathrow service.