This article is from page 8 of the 2012-11-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
FIANNA Fáil in Clare has been accused of cynical political opportunism as it launched an amendment to the State Airport Act.
Leading the charge was Labour TD Michael McNamara who said, “Fianna Fáil had their chance over many years to secure Shannon and they blew it. The party has no credibility on Shannon or on Aer Lingus. The State Airports Act 2004, a piece of Fianna Fáil legislation, enabled the transfer of Aer Rianta International (ARI) to the Dublin Airport Authority, and the establishment of a Shannon Airport Authority to run the airport without Aer Rianta International.
“All Clare’s Fianna Fáil TDs and senators at the time voted for it, including the current transport spokesman. It’s easy to talk the talk in opposition. Walking the walk when they were in government was a different matter. Why did Fianna Fáil use the power they once had to transfer ownership and control of ARI from Shannon? And why are they now singing a different tune?” he asked.
“The Fianna Fáil leader and the Transport spokesman need to recognise that this Government proposes to leave Shannon debt-free, this is an enormous contribution at a time of harsh economic conditions. Making Shannon debt-free and leaving the international travel retail company with the airport, is a phoney suggestion from the party which contributed so much to landing us in the mess we are in.
“I am confident that there will be a turnaround at Shannon. There is growing optimism that flight numbers will increase in the coming year. A new structure and good marketing will create a new dynamic at Shannon, which we all hope will generate new business and employment in the region. Something new and positive is being done by this Government following years of neglect by others,” he said.