Batt O'Keeffe
Question:45 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he has satisfied himself with the role of the task force set up to increase passenger numbers at Shannon in June 1994. [10097/95]
Written Answers. - Shannon Task Force.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to Shannon Airport Marketing, the body which was established in October, 1994 as a result of the recommendations of the Shannon Airport traffic development task force.
The Shannon task force was established by the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications in June 1993, and presented its report on the future of Shannon Airport to the Minister in December of that year.
The central recommendation of the task force was for the setting up of a single integrated traffic promotion body for Shannon. The Government endorsed the recommendation and Shannon Airport Marketing was established as a single cohesive unit to promote traffic at Shannon Airport and eliminate the fragmentation and overlapping of marketing which the task force found was inhibiting the development of the airport.
It is probably too early to make a definitive judgment about the effectiveness of Shannon Airport Marketing in implementing the mandate given to it by the Government.
I am satisfied that the function of Shannon Airport Marketing, which is to grow the traffic at Shannon, through vigorous promotion of the airport in overseas markets including the US is the correct function. However, I am aware that some local interests in the Shannon region are not entirely confident that the Shannon Airport Marketing structure is the most appropriate mechanism to discharge this function. I will be keeping a close watch on the activities of the body to ensure that it continues to be the best mechanism for the job.