asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will extend the facilities available to promoters of new industries within the Shannon Airport Free Zone to industries established outside the zone, which would use air transport through Shannon Airport for the export of their products.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Airport Industrial Facilities.
8.
I do not consider it necessary or appropriate to extend the special airport facilities in the manner suggested in the Deputy's question. These special facilities being provided for industries established within the airport are being offered for the express purpose of attracting projects to that site.
Is the Minister aware that the bulk of the employees at Shannon Airport live in the City of Limerick or in the town of Ennis? Does it not seem more logical to keep them in employment in their own towns, rather than bring them out to Shannon Airport at considerable cost? If an industrialist is prepared to set up a manufacturing concern in Limerick or Ennis, would it not be sensible to give him the opportunity of doing so rather than confine him to the airport zone?
It should be clear that extending these special facilities to other areas would be an ending to the attempt to extend the facilities at Shannon Airport.