GOVERNMENT INACTION LEADING TO SHANNON AIRPORTS TERMINAL DECLINE
Issued : Monday 25 January, 2010
Limerick Labour T.D. Jan O’Sullivan has today blasted the Government and local F.F. ministers for failing to support the 20 recommendations contained in the Mid West Task Force interim report published last July.
Deputy O’Sullivan stated that there was simply no interest what so ever by senior Government Ministers to provide resources and commitment to enable many of the recommendations outlined in the Task Force to be implemented. The report recommended that targeted investment to create an international cargo hub at Shannon Airport, and the development of the necessary infrastructure such as roads water etc on a 70 acre site adjacent to Vistakon in Plassey Park would enable the IDA to try and attract in Bio pharmaceutical and Bio medical industry to the area
This Government continues to sit on their hands while Shannon Airport declines in terms of visitor numbers and airlines using the airport. Over the last three years we have witnessed numbers decline by on average 10% and this year with Ryan-Air and Aer Lingus reducing flights into and out of the airport visitor’s numbers will fall dramatically.
Shannon Airport has always been a significant piece of infrastructure and catalyst for tourism and economic activity throughout the greater Mid West region for decades. It is my belief that the Dublin Airport Authority are slowly strangling Shannon Airport and the board of the airport is effectively operating with one hand tied behind their backs in trying to develop and grow the airport.
I called earlier this year for a collective approach by all T.D.’s in the region to lobby relevant Government ministers to take action to ensure the economic survival of this region and I am again calling for cross party support to bring about Government action.
The silence and inaction by Government ministers is absolutely shocking when there was such fan fare and publicity surrounding the establishment of the Task Force. We had the same fan fare when the regeneration of Limerick was announced and again loud promises have fallen silent as the promised funding evaporates leaving people in these communities disillusioned and dismayed.
Limerick and the Mid West Region has been treated abysmally since this Government took office 12 years ago. Not one significant industry has been brought to the region and the promised €53 million Tourism plan to promote the region over a period of years delivered a paltry €6 million.
F.F. ministers and public representatives in the Mid West should hang their heads in shame at the total lack of investment or interest their government has shown to the people in this region and Minister O’Dea and Power should get off their backsides and start delivering for this City and the greater Mid West region.
