Following today’s unprecedented gathering at the Oakwood Arms Hotel in Shannon, the Local Authority Mayors and Chairpersons have agreed to fully brief each of their respective Councils on the issue and to use whatever mechanisms are available to secure a reversal of the Aer Lingus decision to axe the Shannon to Heathrow service.
A unanimous call was also made for the Inter Departmental Group to meet with representatives from the wider region as part of the Group’s consideration of the impacts of the airline’s move on tourism, business and regional development in the area.
Today’s meeting was attended by the Mayor of Clare, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Mayor of Roscommon, Mayor of Galway City, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Mayor of Limerick City, Mayor of Kerry, Mayor of North Tipperary County Council, Cathaoirleach of Tipperary South County Council and Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council. Also in attendance were senior representatives of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly; Mid West Regional Authority; and the Border, Midlands and Western Regional Assembly.
Speaking after the meeting, Mayor of Clare Cllr. Patricia McCarthy said that the Aer Lingus move represented an attack on regional development. She indicated that there is real and genuine concern along the Western Seaboard and beyond at the implications of the Aer Lingus decision to discontinue its Shannon-Heathrow service.
“The level of that impact is indisputable and a detailed business case prepared by the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance sets out in very specific terms the impacts on industry and tourism enterprises in the west of Ireland. There was unanimous agreement that the overall grouping should seek to have its deep concerns at the current situation impressed upon the Inter Departmental Group currently finalising a report for consideration by Government”, explained Mayor McCarthy.
Those present at today’s meeting were given a detailed presentation on the case prepared by Atlantic Connectivity Alliance along with the clear implications for development in the wider region and the potential impact for other airports.
According to Cllr. McCarthy, “Following yesterday’s cabinet meeting, the Minister for Transport indicated that there was no guarantees in relation to the Aer Lingus slots at the Cork and Dublin Airports. My colleagues here today are under no illusion that this is not just a Shannon issue but has major implications for the entire Country in terms of maintaining critical connectivity to one of the world’s busiest Airports.”
She added, “Major progress is being made by all Local Authorities in improving infrastructure, particularly along the Atlantic Corridor and on other major road projects throughout the wider region. Improvements are also underway in relation to rail connectivity, broadband provision and other elements that are critical for progressive economic development. Underpinning all such development is proper access and the Shannon-Heathrow link is of absolute critical, strategic importance to maintain existing development in the industry and tourism area and to position the wider region for further growth and investment into the future.”
“It is essential that the Government follow through on the various commitments in the National Spatial Strategy and other policy documents to achieve the objective of balanced regional development”
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor:
- Mayor of Clare Cllr. Patricia McCarthy (087-4187132)
- High-resolution images of today’s meeting are available on request. For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com