This article is from page 14 of the 2012-03-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
THE financial aspects of the proposed take-over of Shannon Airport by local authorities and other agencies in the mid-west region would have to be hammered out before Clare County Council agrees to enter into such a role.
This message was delivered to transport minister Leo Varadkar on Monday, after Clare County Council was told to “step warily” with any decision to enter into an agreement to manage the airport.
“You also have to be careful what you wish for,” said Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) in voicing concerns about any county council involvement in management role at Shannon.
“This report is very much a first step and there will be many more steps to be taken before there is a model or a solution put in place in terms of the longterm future of Shannon,” said Director of Service, Ger Dollard.
“I would say that the local authority should be very wary of taking on this. It may be a huge burden. Who would pay the losses, rates etc, etc? We’d want to,” said Pat Gaughran, the community representative of the council SPC.
After a debate, it was agreed by members of the SPC that “the council continue to be involved in discussions in the future model for Shannon Airport, with the Deparment of Transport, Shannon Development, and all other local agencies and stakeholders” and that the local authority would undertake a “due dilligence process and obtain whatever professional advice that may be necessary”.