Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2004
36 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress made to date with regard to his consideration of the deliberations of the working group established to examine the specific issue regarding Shannon Development; if he has met the board of Shannon Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33755/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the House will be aware from previous similar parliamentary questions, there have been a number of developments that will impact on the mid-west region and the roles of the respective State agencies operating there, the most significant of which are: the proposed relocation of the headquarters of Enterprise Ireland, involving 300 of the agency's Dublin based staff to Shannon, as part of the Government decentralisation programme; the decision to establish an independent Shannon Airport Authority, and the enterprise strategy group which reported in July has recommended that Shannon Development should disengage from industrial development functions which should be left to the national agencies, that is, Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.
Other developments such as the removal of the need for operating licences for companies setting up in the Shannon free zone, the transfer of responsibility for Shannon town from Shannon Development to Clare County Council and the proposed uniting of County Kerry for tourism development purposes will also impact on the future role of Shannon Development, in particular. It is worth repeating that Shannon Development fully supports the decision to establish an independent airport authority which they see as vital to the economic development of the region. They further agree that the company should refocus its activities on the airport with a view to generating business for the airport and the company's assets should be used to support the airport authority particularly in its early, vulnerable years. A working group was set up by my predecessor to examine the specific issue of how Shannon Development could best contribute to the development of the new independent airport. It has carried out some detailed work in relation to the various options available but its work is not yet completed. I have reviewed the deliberations of the group and am now actively pursuing the matter through consultations with relevant Cabinet colleagues.
My schedule has not permitted a meeting with the Shannon Development Board to date but I expect that such a meeting will take place shortly.
