University of Limerick President Professor Kerstin Mey has hailed the four outstanding candidates bestowed with honorary doctorates at University of Limerick today as ‘leaders and visionaries’.

A Co Clare man has been named president and CEO-elect of GE Aviation, the world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, as well as integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft.

Clare man John Slattery, who is President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, had brought his company's largest ever aircraft to Shannon to meet potential customers.

Shannon has been at the heart of international aviation for over seventy years and is now home to the largest aerospace and aviation cluster in Ireland but its future could include the development of a centre of excellence for aircraft reconfiguration, capitalising on its reputation for quality and speed in maintenance repair overhaul (MRO) sector.