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 MoreGovernment 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.
Contrary 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.
Eamon 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.
Minister Catherine Martin spoke about sustainable tourism in the Dáil today, but the reality is far from sustainable.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 MoreKeeping 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.
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.
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.
