Fine Gael TD for Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has been told by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny that the Government has approved the State Airports Bill, which is the last part in the separation of Shannon Airport from the DAA and the transfer of lands to the new Shannon Group company from Shannon Development.
Patrick O’Donovan asked the Taoiseach in the Dáil for an update on the progress that was being made in completing the Bill. Patrick O’Donovan told the Dáil that the separation of a Shannon from Dublin was of huge importance to the Mid-West region and he suggested the new Shannon Group company should develop a plan for the lands that will be transferred from Shannon Development.
Speaking after he raised the issue directly with the Taoiseach, Patrick O’Donovan said that huge progress had already been made in Shannon Airport since they had been given independence. He paid tribute to the Board and Management of the Airport who had led the transformation of Shannon. The new leadership there together with the abolition of the travel tax by Limerick Minister Michael Noonan have been key elements to driving the change which is now very visible in Shannon. He said that he had no doubt but that success in the Airport would bring benefits to the entire Mid-West Region.
He concluded by saying “This Government has done more for Shannon Airport in three years than any that went before it, and we need to ensure that the momentum which has been built up there in recent months continues.”