This article is from page 6 of the 2011-02-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
FINE Gael will make Shannon Airport great again – this pre-election promise was delivered local candidate, Deputy Joe Carey his week as he rounded on “a decade of Fianna Fáíl ambivalence” that has “brought the airport to its knees”.
In a wide-ranging document published on Monday, Deputy Carey has pledged key priorities for the airport in the medium to long term.
“A healthy and vibrant Shannon Airport is key for the economic re- covery of County Clare.
“My key policies include: Following a process of engagement with all major stakeholders in Shannon, I want to ensure a plan for the future of the airport is drawn up and acted upon.
“The current DAA governance model is working against Shannon Airport. This must be ended and Shannon must be free to determine its own future, with its own independent board, free from DAA control.
“I have opposed consistently the disastrous € 10 travel tax, which is now reduced to € 3. We cannot generate more business through Shannon by taxing passengers. I want the € 3 tax scrapped and Fine Gael in government have committed to this,” said Deputy Carey.
Continuing, Deputy Carey, who is seeking a second term in Dáil Éireann after being first elected in 2007, says “Shannon has the potential to develop as an international cargo hub with relatively little investment needed.
“Government agencies have been calling for this for over a decade. I want to ensure the investment is provided to make this a reality and begin to generate much needed jobs in the County.
“I believe Shannon can become an Airport the envy of Europe and play a key role in the economic recovery of the whole of the Mid-West region.
“In government I will draw on the expertise of interested persons and organisations, to ensure the very best persons are running and managing Shannon Airport. Shannon was a great airport once. Together we can make it great again,” he added.