Government endorses report of Senior Officials Group on Shannon-Heathrow Connectivity
Government endorses report of Senior Officials Group on Shannon-Heathrow Connectivity
The Government discussed yesterday the Report of the Senior Officials Group which was established following Aer Lingus’ decision to transfer slots currently utilised for Shannon-Heathrow services to its new proposed Belfast-Heathrow service.
The Government endorsed the analysis and conclusions of the Group and agreed to ask relevant Ministers, following consultation with the four Mid-West planning authorities, together with the Mid-West Regional Authority, to report back to Government as soon as possible on strategies for unlocking the further development potential of the Limerick-Shannon Gateway and its wider region.
The Report:
- outlines the Group’s initial assessment of the impact of the loss of the direct Shannon-Heathrow connection
- considers issues relating to the efforts of Shannon Airport to enhance connectivity and proposals for direct State intervention in support of Shannon-Heathrow services
- notes anEconomic and Tourism Development Plan for Shannon and the wider catchment area is being developed
- notes issues relating to the future governance of the Shannon Airport Authority
- considers the impact of the decision in terms of the medium to long-term development of the region and concludes that the Aer Lingus decision raises some further important issues which require attention.
In the light of its work, the Group concludes that:
- The loss of the direct Shannon-Heathrow connection will have a negative impact on connectivity to/from the region unless an alternative carrier can be attracted to serve the route. The impact will be subject to a range of mitigating factors requiring mobilisation of relevant interests within the region, based on a shared vision and strategy.
o The possibility of the introduction of new services to and from Shannon in response to market needs should not be discounted – the likelihood of a favourable development in this respect is increased by the European Hub Airport Incentive Scheme announced by Shannon Airport Authority.
o Airport separation will be addressed through the business plan which Shannon Airport has now been mandated to produce.
o Work should be finalised on the detail of an Economic and Tourism Development Plan for the region.
o The implementation of the Atlantic Gateway concept provides the basis for developing a second major metropolitan corridor on the island of Ireland to complement and counterbalance the strengthening Dublin-Belfast corridor.
o The development of the Limerick-Galway strategic corridor development framework should be prioritised as part of the implementation of the Atlantic Gateway Initiative.
o Work underway in relation to local government reform (including the boundary commission), and initiatives arising from the John Fitzgerald report on social exclusion, crime and disorder issues, and regeneration in areas of Limerick City, will result in benefits for the city and the region as a whole.
o The development and enhancement of appropriate measures and institutional arrangements to support balanced regional development in all its dimensions should be adopted as an explicit priority focus within the social partnership process.
Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D, said “The Report of the Interdepartmental Group is based on consultations with stakeholders in the region, analysis by relevant State agencies and the legal advice available. It provides a clear pathway forward in terms of the short-term options available in response to the decision, and the medium-term issues which we need to tackle to ensure that the region’s development potential is realised.”
He said “In the light of this Report, the Government has asked relevant Ministers to consult further with the local and regional authorities and report back with proposals for unlocking the further development potential of the Limerick-Shannon Gateway and its wider region.”
ENDS
27 September 2007
Note: The Report of the Senior Officials Group on Aviation Issues is available at www.transport.ie and www.taoiseach.ie
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