Fine Gael TD for Limerick and member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Patrick O’Donovan said that he is confident having listened to the new Chairperson of the Shannon Airport Authority, Rose Hynes, that the future of the airport is in safe hands and that the decline in numbers will be reversed.
In his contribution to the committee Patrick O’Donovan recalled that a previous member of the Dáil said that “Rabbits would be one day running around the runway at Shannon” and he said in order to make sure that this did not happen the government had to act and act decisively in order to ensure the future of the airport. “This has been done now and the airport is getting ready to embark on a new course. There are opportunities in the areas of cargo transport, aircraft leasing, maintenance, training and engineering that have the opportunity to create badly needed jobs for the region. The creation of a new Limerick Authority with Shannon Airport at our door step is key changes which I believe will bring change.”
Speaking after the committee questioned Ms Hynes on her appointment as Chairperson, Patrick O’Donovan said that there were questions and concerns that he had in relation to the land bank of Shannon Development which is located across the region, and how the new Shannon Airport Company could develop that while also maintaining a much needed strong influence on the airport itself. “We in Co. Limerick, and I am sure the same can be said for North Kerry, North Tipperary and South Offaly want to know that these assets will be made more attractive for both foreign and direct investors and Irish companies to create jobs in. The airport will be a key driver in that, but we must make sure that we have good people leading the change to deliver to the region.”
Patrick O’Donovan rejected suggestions that the changes in Shannon were to the detriment of other airports. “Shannon is the trans-Atlantic airport for the whole of the West and South of Ireland, an area from Malin Head to Mizen Head. It is also the link from the west to Heathrow. It is a strategic airport and is a different model to the other airports and I believe that working together they have nothing to fear from each other.
Patrick O’Donovan wished the new Chairperson and the Board of Shannon Airport well and said he looked forward to theme delivering to the Mid West and to Ireland as a whole.