Genzyme Ireland named LifeSciences Company of the Year at Export Industry Awards

Genzyme Ireland, the biotechnology company that employs over 450 people in Waterford, has been named Life Sciences Company of the Year at the Irish Exporters Association's Export Industry Awards 2009. It is the second time in three years that Genzyme has won the national award.

Genzyme Ireland is a key element of the global supply chain for Genzyme Corp which provides products and services to patients in almost 100 countries. Over €400m has been invested in capital projects to support the company's Irish operations since they established a presence in Waterford in 2001. A €130m expansion is currently nearing completion.

The company saw employment growth from less than 250 to more than 450 in the 30 months to mid-2009. The operation also continues to move up the value chain with the Renvela sachet l...
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A memorial service for the families of missing people and for people lost tragically in the River Suir and the seas surrounding Waterford is to be held. It will take place at The Marina near the Tower Hotel on Saturday 12th December at 1p.m. A wreath in the shape of a lifebuoy will be dropped by representatives of two families from a Civil Defence boat. There will be light refreshments in the Tower Hotel afterwards sponsored by Olympus Casino Club.

Prior to the memorial service the Mayor of Waterford, Collr. John Halligan will host a reception in the Mayors Parlour at 12 midday. All those touched by tragedy of a family member or friend in the River Suir are invited, as indeed are those involved in the rescue services, and support organisations. Stewarding at The Marina will be provided by Civil Defence and Waterford Gardai.

"Dramatic increase" in ESB/Gas cut offs Pictured at the launch of the St. Vincent De Paul annual Christmas appeal were:

Dean Trevor Lester, Cllr. John Halligan, Mayor, John Caulfield, vice-president St. Vincent De Paul and Bishop William Lee. St. Vincent De Paul annual collection takes place this weekend - please give generouslySpeaking at the launch of the St. Vincent De Paul Annual Appeal which is to be taken up this weekend, on Friday last in St. Joseph and St. Benildus Parish Centre, Mr. John Halligan, Mayor of Waterford said that hundreds of people had their electricity cut off by the ESB and Gas Coy. in Waterford as they could not afford to pay their bills. He said he had been informed by MABS (Money, Advice and Budgeting Service) that t...
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The new Penneys' store in Waterford, which opened on Monday created 60 new jobs in addition to the 60 jobs which already existed at the former Penneys store in Waterford. An additional 70 temporary members of staff have also been recruited for the Christmas period. The new store is 21,500 sq ft in size and is located on Barronstrand Street in the city centre.

Over the next week Primark is to open four new stores – the new store in Waterford under the Penneys brand name, and three further stores, in Germany, Belgium and Portugal, operating under the Primark brand name.

Commenting on the new stores, Primark said: "We are delighted to open our new Waterford store in time for Christmas and are looking forward to welcoming our first custo...
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Waterford Chamber, which represents over 700 businesses in Waterford City and County has called on local authorities to reduce commercial rates charged to businesses in 2010.

President of the Chamber Paul McDaid commented, "In addition to increasing costs for water, commercial rates have been continually increased at levels that bear no relation to the rate of inflation. Commercial rates in Waterford City increased by 4% in 2008 and by 0.6% in 2009 while rates in Waterford County increased by 3% in 2008 and by 2.5% in 2009. We are now asking both Waterford City Council and Waterford County Council to reduce the current commercial rate in 2010 to reflect the current negative rate of inflation."

Waterford City Councillor John Cummins has welcomed the proactive action which is been taken by the Environmental Services section of the Waterford City Council in relation to the wide spread problem of graffiti on our city streets.

Cllr. Cummins said "This is an issue which I have raised at every Council meeting since I was elected in June and I am delighted that action is been taken to tackle this unsightly problem. Over eighty sites in the city centre have been identified and will be tackled over the coming weeks by a dedicated team of Council staff and contractors with specific skills in anti-graffiti work".

He continued "I think it is vital that we present our city in the best way possible, especially in the run up to Christmas when there is a huge influx of visitors and shoppers to our city centre. The Christmas market which will start soon combined with the lights and the carousel add a great atmos...
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Grace Dieu Retreat and Conference Centre on the Tramore Road, Waterford presents an evening of reflection on The Meaning of Advent. This event, which includes a reflective talk, Reconciliation and Eucharist, will take place on Thursday, December 10th, 2009 beginning at 7pm. Suggested donation is €10 which includes tea/coffee and biscuits. Feel free to bring a friend.

For further information or to book a place, please contact Grace Dieu on 051-374417 or email gracedieuatireland.com.

The South East Simon Community who work with those experiencing homelessness or acute housing difficulties in the southeast has thanked all those who supported its Christmas fundraising event at the Forum in Waterford on Wednesday last (Nov 25) where over 300 people helped raise over €6,000 for the charity.

TV3 chef Andrew Rudd and Ruth Wassel, resident chef and appliance specialist at Houseworks Ltd, staged a Christmas cookery demonstration at the event while stage and television actor Linda Gough and WLR FM broadcaster Timmy Ryan held a celebrity cook-off with Timmy winning for his lamb dish.

A glitzy fashion show featured the latest styles selected by Harriet Hoff from outlets including Open Door – the Simon Community's store in Waterford.

There were also beauty and hair makeovers showcasing the talents of Salon 16 and the award-winning Hype and Urban Hype salons in Waterford, Tramo...
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Cllr. Jim D'Arcy says that jailing people who don't pay fines or who default on debts makes no sense. He points to recent figures which show that over 2,000 people were imprisoned for non-payment of fines and debt defaulting in the first six months of 2009 and says that such a problem could be much more appropriately addressed by mechanisms such as attachment to earnings orders. "Jailing so many people for getting into financial trouble puts even greater pressure on an already overstretched prison service. It is, in my view, a blunt and thoughtless response to a problem that is affecting more and more people in the current economic climate." Cllr. D'Arcy believes that there needs to be a comprehensive overhaul of prison policy, beginning with a commitment to finding an alternative to jailing people for their inability to pay debts and fines.

Devotions to Saint Padre Pio will be held in The Dominican Church, Bridge Street, Waterford on Saturday, 5th December.

The Rosary will be said at 10.10 a.m. and Mass will follow at 10.30. Saint Padre Pio's Mitten will be available afterwards. All are welcome.

The next meeting of the Waterford Group of Amnesty International will take place in Downs's Bar, Thomas Street on Thursday 3rd December.

This is change from the usual venue and timing, due to the approach of Christmas. Regular meetings second Thursday of each month. All are welcome.

Contact David Flynn: 087 2986293.

The miracle painless wax treatment used by Hollywood stars, Lycon, has finally arrived in Waterford. Landing next to the Suir, exclusively at Ella's Tanning Studio on Grattan's Quay, Lycon wax is a revolutionary development in hair removal. As anyone who has endured a traditional wax will know, it hurts. This new strip-less treatment takes the pain out of hair removal and leaves the skin silky smooth.

Lycon waxes shrink-wrap and remove hair as short as 1mm and contain natural and soothing ingredients that nurture the skin, leaving it feeling soft. It is suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive. "We are delighted to be the first salon to bring Lycon wax to Waterford. It may seem hard to believe but this wax really is painless. I actually had a customer fall asleep while I did her wax, how often do you think that happens?" laughed Ella Gora, proprietor of Ella's Tanning.

"Customers who have tried...
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Waterford Labour Deputy Brian O'Shea has been informed by the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan T.D. that the earnings link or "pay parity" basis for post-retirement increases, is a feature of Irish public services schemes.

In the Civil Service increases in pensions are awarded at the discretion of the Minister for Finance under Regulations made by him under Section 29 of the Pensions (Increase) Act 1964. The Act does not prescribe what form the increases should take or how they should be calculated.

A typical provision in a public service scheme would be that increases may be granted under the scheme as may be authorised from time to time by the Minister responsible, with the consent of the Minister for Finance.

The Minister concluded that as the Government has made clear on a number of occasions, all public expenditure, pay and non-pay, current and capital, is under review in the context of th...
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Kildare-based chocolate manufacturer, Lily O'Brien's, is coming to Waterford for four weeks only. Ireland's leading premium chocolatier has located in Waterford's George's Court for the pre-Christmas season in what the company hopes may be the beginning of a longer term development within the city.

Like Santa Claus, Lily O'Brien's has been busy at work for the past number of months preparing its most delicious chocolates for households across the globe. With families in Australia, Scandinavia and the US enjoying Lily O'Brien's chocolates this Christmas, it's time to stock up and make sure your family have plenty of sumptuous Irish-made chocolates to enjoy this festive season. Combining value with quality, the new Lily O'Brien's Store in George's Court is packed with delicious treats for nibbling, novelty chocolate Santa Claus & Teddy Bears for children and beautifully presented gift boxes for the festive season...
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Un-bee-lievable response to the Waterford Beekeepers Beginners' Guide to Beekeeping at Dunhill Ecopark

The East Waterford Beekeepers Association (EWBKA) gave its first ever beginners' guide to beekeeping at Dunhill Ecopark to a captivated audience of over 20 people from across Waterford County. This interactive workshop was designed to provide a basic understanding of what is involved in keeping bees, and their fascinating world. Course participants learned directly from local bee enthusiasts, many of whom inherited their passion and skills for beekeeping from their parents.

The course explored the structure of a bee hive and an overview of the benefits of beekeeping. The life cycle and annual ca...
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Waterford volunteers for teaching swimming, lifesaving, water survival and an awareness o water safety best practices. Minister of State Michael Finneran TD, presented the Awards at Irish Water Safety's National Awards Ceremony, Tues 17th Nov 2009.

Mr Kevin Wilmot; Mr Corwun O Brien; Mr Kevin Downey; Ms Aoife Flynn; Ms Elsie Hickey; Ms Brid Vereker; Ms Betty Walsh Ms Winne Foran; Mr Michael Cuddihy; Mr Sonny Condon; Ms Dolores O Sullivan.

A blue plaque in honour of one of Waterford's greatest ever hurlers, John Keane, was unveiled in Barrack Street on Saturday afternoon last. A large crowd including his immediate family and relatives and members of the Civic Trust gathered in front of number 80 Barrack Street, John Keane's childhood home. The Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. John Halligan officially unveiled the plaque.

John Keane was a legend in his own lifetime, a star hurler from the very beginning and a Mount Sion man through and through. He was a club minor at thirteen, an inter-county minor at fifteen, a junior All Ireland medallist at seventeen and Mount Sion's and Waterford's accepted leader on the field for virtually all of his long career. He w...
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Local travel agent immediately gets to work for Budget Travel affected customers

Waterford based travel agent, Nicola Norris, is offering help, advice and alternative travel arrangements to those travellers affected by the news that Budget Travel ceased trading on Wednesday.

Ireland's largest tour operator was officially wound up after a provisional liquidator was appointed at the High Court, with the loss of 172 jobs and the closure of 17 retail shops. A total of 747 people are on holiday abroad with the company, with thousands more customers affected by the news with future travel bookings.

As soon as the news broke, Nicola from Ballymacarbry near Dungarvan, who works as part of leading independent travel company Travel Counsellors, which prides itself on offering the best possible levels of personal service to its customers, was notified of the situation and was able to offer advice an...
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Waterford Labour Deputy, Brian O'Shea has been informed by Martin Mansergh T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Finance that the Commissioners of Public Works acting on behalf of the Courts Services have appointed an architect for the proposed extension to Waterford Courthouse.

Consultations have already taken place with local Court users and it is expected that plans will be prepared by the end of the year. This would enable further consultations to take place with the Courts staff, Judiciary and local Court users, with a view to finalising a brief of requirements. Tender documentations will then be prepared.

Deputy O'Shea has also been in contact with Brendan R. Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, Courts Service in relation to his concerns of sittings of the High Court in Waterford.

Mr. Ryan stated that the position with regard to High Court sittings in Waterford is that two High Court J...
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DERTOUR, one of Germany's largest tour operators with a €1.5 billion turnover last year, and market leader for the past 40 years, are currently in Ireland attending their annual travel academy.  While the travel academy will be based in Killarney, all 700 travel agents are participating in pre and post academy tours, organised by Fáilte

Ireland, in conjunction with Tourism Ireland.  The tours present a valuable opportunity for the tourism industry to sell itself to the German market and allow Fáilte Ireland to showcase the best that Ireland has to offer throughout the country.

Pictured in Waterford, one of Ireland's oldest cities, on one of the pre academy tours, were the German tour operators with Gary Breen...
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However, with the successful passage ...
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Waterford City Council has embarked on an anti-graffiti campaign aimed at cleaning up the City and is asking the people of the City to join with them in the campaign. The initial concentration will be on the City Centre and will focus on the pre-Christmas period. "As a city, we need to give a renewed positive message to visitors, potential investors and indeed to ourselves. We, as the people of Waterford, rightly have huge pride in this great city of ours, but we need to make sure this pride is reflected in the way the city is presented. That is the message."

So says Colette Byrne, Director of Environmental Services in Waterford City Council, adding that the campaign will be focussing on both private and public property. There will be a number of ap...
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Researchers from the Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG) at Waterford Institute of Technology have enjoyed a double success in receiving awards at two prestigious international conferences.

At the eChallenges e-2009 conference and exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey, Prof John Strassner, Dr Sven van der Meer, Dr Brendan Jennings and Miguel Ponce de Leon of TSSG won the best paper award as judged by a panel of independent experts who assessed over 150 academic papers presented over three days at the European Commission-supported conference.

At eChallenges e-2009, over 650 delegates addressed topics including ICT for networked enterprises; eGovernment and eDemocracy; eHealth; technology enhanced learning; intelligent content; identity management; collaborative working environments; living labs; eInfrastructures; high performance computing applications; smart and virtual organisations; mobility an...
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Waterford shoppers invited to savour delicious Christmas fare at Superquinn customer evening

Superquinn has announced it will hold a series of customer evenings in selected stores, where it will showcase and sample a range of delicious Christmas food and drinks, to get shoppers firmly into the Christmas spirit! Waterford shoppers will be treated to a customer evening on Tuesday 8th December from 6pm – 9pm.

Foods available for shoppers to sample at the events will include: Oak Smoked Salmon, puff pastry Mince Pies, party foods, Ice-creams and sorbets, Christmas cake, Cooked Ham, SQ and Superquinn Classic Collection wines, vegetable accompaniments and sauces, and much more. Superquinn colleagues and suppliers will be on hand during the evening to offer advice to customers on Christmas dining.

As a special treat Maurice Wynne of Mad Flowers will be on hand to demonstrate Christmas fl...
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