A roundup of today's other stories in brief

McDonald's travel scheme for Irish staff

Restaurant group McDonald's has launched its McPassport programme in Ireland. The initiative enables McDonald's staff to access jobs more easily in other McDonald's outlets across Europe.

The McPassport confirms that the holder has reached a certain skill level at a McDonald's restaurant.

"Many of our employees have a desire to travel," said Marcus Hewson, managing director of McDonald's Restaurants of Ireland.

"The McPassport is a way of encouraging and facilitating what is already taking place, making staff mobility within the EU easier for our employees and employers alike."

The programme has been welcomed by the European Commission in the context of the European Year of Workers' Mobility.

Demand for senior accountants strong

Senior accounting vacancies are taking up to four months to fill, according to the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA). The group's annual practitioners' conference heard that 30 per cent of CPA firms and practices had reported that they had vacancies for junior and senior accountants.

The CPA said student numbers were 22 per cent ahead of last year.

Exporters' body offers legal advice

The Irish Exporters' Association has launched a legal advice service for exporters. The First Query Legal Advice Service, established in conjunction with business law firm Mason Hayes & Curran, will give exporters immediate access to expert legal advice.

"Irish companies are faced with a mind-boggling array of laws, directives and regulations when trading across borders," said the association's chief executive, John Whelan. "It is becoming a minefield for Irish exporters, particularly SMEs, to ensure that they are compliant with all regulations."

100 jobs for Cliffs of Moher centre

Clare County Council is recruiting 100 staff for its new Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience site, which is scheduled to open early next year.

The €31.5 million facility is looking to fill vacancies in maintenance and administrative positions as well as customer service staff and rangers.

Katherine Webster, director of the centre, said it was particularly keen to offer employment opportunities in the local area. "One of the main elements of the recruitment campaign is a localised direct marketing programme whereby people from Clare are given every opportunity to become part of the Cliffs of Moher workforce," she said.

"It is only right and proper that local people benefit directly from the project."