Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara, who first proposed the transfer of the Clare assets of Shannon Heritage to Clare County Council in 2020, has welcomed the approval by Cabinet of a financial support package to facilitate the move.
Read MoreIndependent Clare TD Michael McNamara has urged Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to directly intervene in an ongoing impasse involving a section of the preferred route for the Greenway project linking Limerick City with Scariff in East Clare.
Government dithering on Clare County Council’s proposed takeover of Shannon Heritage is damaging to the assets there, staff morale and ultimately Clare tourism. A high-level person needs to be appointed by gov’t to bring decision makers in relevant Depts and national/local govt bodies together.
I questioned Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary about Shannon Airport and its potential for further growth.
Since the closure of the youth hostel in Mountshannon, the village and East Clare more broadly has fallen far behind the growth in tourism on Clare’s west coast. A new project, centred on the iconic Inis Cealtra / Holy Island and led by Clare County Council, seeks to put Lough Derg back on the tourism map.
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.
Read MoreContrary to what the Taoiseach told me yesterday about the proposed transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council: “the Minister is working on this with all the stakeholders to try to get this resolved”, Councillors were told this morning that the Council was informed on Budget Day that the required funding was being refused. This is no way to treat the workers there.
Unfortunately, there is still no update from the Taoiseach on the future of the Shannon Heritage sites in Clare.
The Government appears to be no closer to a decision on the proposed transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council and it doesn’t appear to be a priority.
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.
Great energy at the Falls Hotel & Spa in Ennistymon last night where 58 Burren Ecotourism members were honoured for fulfilling their commitments under the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark Code of Practice for Sustainable Tourism. A brilliant project which shows the way forward for sustainable tourism not just in Clare, but also across Ireland.
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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 MoreClare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara says a decision regarding the inclusion of the Cultural Landscape of the Burren Uplands and Holy Island (Inis Cealtra) on a new Tentative List of potential World Heritage Properties for Ireland has been pushed back until June.
Read MoreEamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, has said the Government is committed to getting the proposed takeover by Clare County Council of Clare-based Shannon Heritage tourism assets “over the line”.
In Dáil Éireann today, Independent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara questioned the Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the proposed takeover by Clare County Council of Clare-based Shannon Heritage tourism assets.
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara has congratulated Clare County Council on the news that two of its six applications to become part of a new Tentative List of potential World Heritage Properties for Ireland have been adjudged to have potential as a World Heritage Property.
Read MoreWith just one day to go before new rules around indoor hospitality come into effect, nobody yet knows what laws they are going to have to adhere to and businesses are not able to put appropriate plans in place.
Minister Catherine Martin spoke about sustainable tourism in the Dáil today, but the reality is far from sustainable.
The Government’s use of Dáil time today to tell us about reopening the tourism and aviation sectors never addressed the significant deterrents that exist for international tourists.
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.
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 MorePeople should be able to “exercise their own judgement”. The more restrictions that are introduced, the more arbitrary they appear.
I spoke on The Tonight Show immediately following tonight’s Dáil vote on the legislation around reopening indoor hospitality.
The proposed legislation on indoor hospitality is being rammed through the Dáil without proper debate. It sets our country on a slippery slope towards similar discrimination being extended to other aspects of society.
It becomes clearer that this is a coercive rather than protective measure. It also becomes more arbitrary in its discrimination.
Speaking on Clare FM I said important details still need to be ironed out in relation to the proposed transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council.
Calls are being made for a government commitment to short-term funding for the sites and for the council to stipulate that future coach contracts to tourist attraction would require an overnight stay in the county.
The need for international peer review of NPHET’s modelling, recommended in the Covid-19 Response Committee Report of 8 October 2020, has never been starker.
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has welcomed the news that the proposed transfer of Shannon Heritage’s portfolio of visitor attractions in County Clare from Shannon Group plc to Clare County Council is to be brought to Cabinet for approval this afternoon.
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Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara is pledging his full support for the proposed development a world class visitor attraction at Ardnacrusha, Co. Clare.
Read MoreClare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara says he is hopeful funding can be secured to upgrade a section of the popular riverbank walk in Shannon town, which has become impassable in recent months.
Read MoreI 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.
Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) in East Clare will fall off Ireland’s Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites unless Clare County Council pulls out the stops now, according to Deputy Michael McNamara.
Read MoreThe Department is seeking applications from Local Authorities, State Bodies, community organisations and individuals, for sites or properties of natural and/or cultural heritage which are considered to be of outstanding universal value, for inclusion on Ireland’s new Tentative List for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Read MoreI 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.
Ireland’s efforts to green global historic sites such as the Sydney Opera House, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Pyramids of Giza for St Patrick’s Day is in marked contrast to “lacklustre efforts to win recognition for historic sites in our own country”, according to Deputy Michael McNamara.
Read MoreIreland’s efforts to green global historic sites such as the Sydney Opera House, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Pyramids of Giza for St Patrick’s Day is in marked contrast to lacklustre efforts to win recognition for historic sites in our own country.
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara has said the announcement by Clare County Council of plans to develop an Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) visitor centre in Mountshannon presents significant potential for the tourism sector and wider economy of East Clare.
Read MoreFollowing 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.
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.
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.
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 MoreI requested the Minister for Finance to include adventure / outdoor activity tourism providers and events companies under the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). The Minister said he will review the matter.
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.
Clare T.D. Michael McNamara has slammed the Government’s lack of strategic direction for Shannon Heritage.
Read MoreReacting on Clare FM to yesterday’s COVID Committee session in relation to Shannon Airport and Shannon Heritage.
This government like the previous government simply doesn’t understand how the economy works in rural Ireland and how the seasonal hospitality sector works.
Keeping pressure on the Government to deliver for Shannon Airport, Shannon Heritage, their staff and the many businesses, both big and small, across the Mid-West that rely on them.
The impact of COVID-19 and the soaring cost of insurance is having a devastating impact on many businesses. Tuamgraney’s Sean Kilkenny, who runs a vintage carriage business operating out of the grounds of Dromoland Castle, last week took his horse-drawn carriage all the way to the Dáil. I spoke to him during yesterday’s ‘Save Our Heritage’ protest in Shannon.
This evening in the Dáil, I questioned the Taoiseach on his plans to re-balance aviation policy and to support Shannon Heritage sites.
Failte Ireland today confirmed the “summer” tourist season will be extended. Shannon Heritage needs to review its opening schedule urgently also in view of anticipated supports. Craggaunowen, Knappogue Castle & Walled Garden and Dungaire Castle need to open and all Shannon Heritage attractions in the Midwest, including Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and King John’s Castle need to remain open beyond the end of August.
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.
In the Dáil today, I questioned Heritage Minister Josepha Madigan about the decision of Shannon Group to close its Shannon Heritage sites in the Mid-West from the end of August whilst keeping its Dublin sites open. To treat OUR heritage in that manner is disgraceful. Having met staff at the weekend, I will be meeting with management at Shannon Group to request them to reconsider the decision to close all its sites in Clare, Limerick and Galway from the end of August.
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.
The Irish tourism sector is being left in a worse situation than in other European states for no apparent reason.
On a day when Government said it will now consider the incluson of mothers returning from maternity leave under the COVID-19 wage subsidy scheme, I once again raised the matter of seasonal enterprises and workers who presently do not qualify under the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
In querying Heritage Minister Josepha Madigan tonight on what progress has been made by the Government in obtaining UNESCO World Heritage Site status for Holy Island / Inis Cealtra, which I have pressed for over a number of years, I was surprised to learn that the Minister “was not aware of the particular place”.
Read MoreDuring 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.
Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, I requested the Government to ensure that seasonal workers in the tourism industry, who lost their jobs before they were about to start them, are included in the new Covid-19 unemployment payment scheme. I welcome that the Irish Hotel Federation has today supported my request. Watch and listen to my contribution to yesterday’s Dáil session in the above video.
