Shannon Airport
I questioned Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary about Shannon Airport and its potential for further growth.
Clearance of agricultural cargo at Shannon Airport
I asked the Agriculture about the Department of Agriculture’s recent insistence that all agricultural cargo coming in to Dublin for Shannon Airport is cleared and inspected in Dublin instead of Shannon as heretofore.
O’Hare service a “huge win” for tourism and business – McNamara
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has described the announcement by United Airlines of daily flights to and from Shannon Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport as a “huge win” for tourism and business in Shannon, County Clare and the wider region.
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Ibec Mid-West holds pre-Budget meeting
Ibec Mid-West Regional Executive Committee held a pre-Budget 2023 meeting at Edward Lifesciences in Limerick on Monday.
Read MoreRTÉ Drivetime – Greater balance in our aviation policy
Speaking to RTÉ Drivetime, I called for greater balance in our aviation policy and for the Government to intervene to bring that about.
Shannon Airport hinterland
I welcoI welcome the appointment of Conal Henry as the new Chair of Shannon Group, and I particularly welcome his ambition for Shannon Airport to be promoted as a travel option for everyone outside of the M50 and south of the N5.
Shannon to Girona service postponed
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara, while welcoming Ryanair’s confirmation that the new service would go ahead in early May, said the cancellation of flights was unfair on passengers who were due to travel in less than two weeks’ time in some instances.
Read MoreSustainable tourism
Minister Catherine Martin spoke about sustainable tourism in the Dáil today, but the reality is far from sustainable.
New Shannon Group Chair
I asked the new Shannon Group Chair Pádraig Ó Céidigh about his plans for the future development of Shannon Airport, including ‘fifth freedom flights’, the Aer Lingus Heathrow slots, the use of antigen testing and his part-time position. My questions can be heard here.
New Chair of Shannon Group plc to be announced shortly
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara says the appointment of a new Chair of Shannon Group plc has reached its final stages.
In response to Deputy McNamara’s Parliamentary Question on the role, which has remained unfilled since August 2020, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan confirmed that he and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton met with the candidates shortlisted via the Public Appointments Service (PAS) process last week.
“In line with normal arrangements for the appointment of Chairs to State Boards, the Chair designate will be required to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications before being formally appointed as Chair of Shannon Group,” added Minister Ryan.
Deputy McNamara has urged the Department to “proceed without delay” due to the significance of the role.
“It is critically important that the successful candidate be someone with the experience to provide strategic direction to Shannon Group plc’s aviation and property businesses, as well as the proposed transfer of Clare-based Shannon Heritage tourism assets to Clare County Council,” added Deputy McNamara.
New Ryanair routes for Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport is open for business. Ryanair has announced new routes to Birmingham, Budapest, Edinburgh, Fuerteventura, London Luton & Turin, regions from which we could seek to attract tourists.
Read MoreVirgin Media News coverage of Lufthansa Technik
The pandemic has negatively affected the international aircraft servicing sector, but the challenges faced by companies in Ireland have been compounded by the Irish Government’s outlier aviation policies.
Shannon Group chairperson
I asked the Tánaiste to intervene to ensure the speedy appointment of a Chairperson to give strategic direction to Shannon Group, including its aviation and heritage businesses.
Aer Lingus cabin crew base at Shannon Airport
Aer Lingus workers’ representatives told me how Government measures, like those introduced across the EU, could have prevented the closure of the airline’s cabin crew base at Shannon Airport.
Clare FM – Voting against extension of Covid legislation
I will be voting in the Dáil against the proposal to further extend the extraordinary Government powers to shut down sections, or all , of our society and economy. The use and abuse of these powers has been particularly ruinous to our tourism and aviation sectors, including Shannon Airport.
Shannon-Heathrow connectivity
The Aer Lingus announcement will cast serious doubts over the retention of early morning and late evening flights to Heathrow which are essential to business connectivity.
Aer Lingus to permanently close Shannon base
Disastrous news for Aer Lingus workers in Shannon Airport and the Mid-West region today. The pandemic has done huge damage to the aviation sector. The Irish government’s response to Covid has been unique in Europe at least, in making a bad situation worse.
McNamara seeks clarity on transatlantic air travel
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara has told Government that the proposed reopening of the Common Travel Area between Britain and Ireland must be accompanied by the resumption of transatlantic flights to and from Ireland.
Read MoreTransatlantic Air Travel
I told Foreign Minister Simon Coveney that planes that flew from Shannon to North America were now based in Manchester and explained why the proposed reopening of the Common Travel Area between Britain and Ireland must be accompanied by transatlantic flights to and from Ireland.
Recovery Plan for Irish Aviation Sector
140,000 workers in the Irish aviation sector cannot live on hope alone. An aviation recovery plan is urgently needed. I raised the matter with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar during Leader’s Questions today.
Shannon Airport rehashed funding announcement a cynical PR exercise
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara is accusing the Government of engaging in a “cynical PR exercise” by today announcing €6.3 million in funding for Shannon Airport, an announcement already made last November.
Read MoreBoard appointments
Following the appointment and resignation yesterday of a Chair of Shannon Group plc, I asked the Agriculture Minister how it was deemed that the same candidate had the expertise required to be appointed to Bord Iascaigh Mhara (Irish Sea Fisheries Board) despite having no obvious background in fisheries.
Appointment of Shannon Group Chair
fter the fiasco appointing a new Chair of Shannon Group, the Government must urgently appoint someone with the experience to provide strategic direction to its aviation, tourism and property businesses.
Clare FM – Shannon Airport and Shannon Heritage
The incoming Chair of Shannon Group must immediately provide a strategy to develop Shannon Airport and aviation in the Midwest, as well as a strategy for the development of Shannon Heritage sites within or without the Group.
McNamara receives update on Shannon Heritage and new Shannon Group Chair
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara says a new Chair of Shannon Group will be appointed imminently while Government also plans to review Shannon Heritage’s position with the Group.
Read MoreShannon Airport, tourism and Shannon Heritage
I raised the future of Shannon Group, Shannon Airport, tourism in the region and Shannon Heritage with the Taoiseach and will continue to press him and his Government to deliver.
Funding for aviation sector
The short-term funding for airports announced by Government is welcome but more needs to be done given the state’s long-term reliance on aviation.
Rapid antigen testing vs PCR testing at airports
I raised the issue of testing at airports and NPHET’s insistence that only PCR testing is acceptable. Airports in other EU countries are using rapid antigen testing.
Testing and aviation policy changes required to salvage Shannon and Cork operations
Reacting to the news that Ryanair is to close its bases in Cork and Shannon for the winter, Independent TD Michael McNamara has said the Government needs to introduce a system of rapid testing at airports in the short term and must also develop a new State aviation policy to ensure international transit carriers do not fly exclusively into Dublin.
Read MoreRapid Turnaround Testing at Irish airports
I asked Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to provide an update on the progress made by Government on the introduction of a testing protocol at Irish airports and about what type of test system would be used.
Clare FM – Testing and aviation policy changes required to salvage Shannon and Cork operations
In response to the news that Ryanair is to close its bases in Cork Airport and Shannon Airport for the winter, I am requesting Government to introduce a system of rapid testing at airports in the short term and also develop a new State aviation policy to ensure international transit carriers do not fly exclusively into Dublin Airport.
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Budget allocation for Shannon Airport “utterly inadequate” – McNamara
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara says the €10m allocated to Cork and Shannon in Budget 2021 is “utterly inadequate” to compensate the airports for the Government’s decision to shut down the Irish aviation sector.
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Tonight Show – Shannon Airport and the Irish aviation sector
I spoke on The Tonight Show last night about Shannon Airport and the Irish aviation sector.
Clare FM – Irish economy & Shannon Airport
I spoke on Clare FM this morning about the impact of ongoing restrictions on society and the wider economy, and I also proposed that Government should consider seeking an equity share in Aer Lingus (as Germany has done in Lufthansa) in return for a guarantee of regional connectivity.
Shannon Airport and Aer Lingus (RTE)
On RTÉ This Week’s Programme, I called on Government to urgently outline its response to the news that Aer Lingus is considering compulsory redundancies as well as closing its base at Shannon Airport.
Shannon Airport and Aer Lingus (RTE)
On RTÉ This Week’s Programme, I called on Government to urgently outline its response to the news that Aer Lingus is considering compulsory redundancies as well as closing its base at Shannon Airport.
Aer Lingus at Shannon Airport
I spoke to Philip Boucher-Hayes on RTÉ Drivetime this evening about the news that Aer Lingus is considering compulsory redundancies and is reviewing its operations at Shannon Airport.
Shannon Airport & Shannon Heritage (CLARE FM)
Reacting on Clare FM to yesterday’s COVID Committee session in relation to Shannon Airport and Shannon Heritage.
Aer Lingus at Shannon
In the Dáil COVID Committee today, I questioned Neil McGowan of SIPTU and Capt Evan Cullen, Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association president, about Aer Lingus’ decision to abandon Shannon in recent months.
Refunds for Irish airline customers
I asked Taoiseach Micheal Martin today what will be done for people out of pocket as a result of foregoing holidays due to Covid-19. Ordinary people should not have to bear the brunt of everything. Aer Lingus and Ryanair will be appearing before the Dáil COVID Committee, which I Chair, next Tuesday.
Shannon Airport and Shannon Heritage
This evening in the Dáil, I questioned the Taoiseach on his plans to re-balance aviation policy and to support Shannon Heritage sites.
International travel and tourism & hospitality sector
I spoke on RTÉ’s ‘Today with Sarah McInerney’ programme this morning about the implications of ongoing public health advice in relation to international travel, as well as the need for a significant stimulus plan for the tourism & hospitality sector.
Shannon Heritage sites and Aer Lingus workers at Shannon Airport
In the Dáil, I questioned Minister Ross on why Shannon Heritage managed tourist sites in the Dublin region would remain open as Bunratty Castle, Craggaunowen, Knappogue, Dunguaire Castle and King John’s Castle close from the end of August. I also requested Minister Ross to use the influence of Government to seek to have Aer Lingus reverse its discriminatory treatment of its long serving Shannon based staff.
Shannon Airport post-Covid
Addressing Minister for Transport Shane Ross in the Dáil tonight, Clare T.D. Michael McNamara outlined some steps Shannon Airport needs to take to succeed post-COVID. He added, “Shannon’s success is vital for balanced regional development, but it needs a shot in the arm from Government.”
Testing of outbound transatlantic passengers at Shannon Airport
Addressing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Dáil Éireann this afternoon, I proposed the testing of outbound passengers at Shannon Airport as a means to reopen the aviation gateway to North America. The economy of our region depends on Shannon.
Statement on the Irish Economy
During Statements on the Irish Economy in Dáil Éireann today, I highlighted issues around farming, tourism, business and Shannon Airport with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe.