This article is from page 12 of the 2012-05-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
THERE are more questions than answers surrounding the future of Shannon Development and the exact role it is going to play in the new “Shannon entity”. Even the company itself is taking time to see what the future holds, as the briefest of outlines of its future was announced last week.
Shannon Development welcomed the separation of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Authority.
“There is still a lot of detail to be worked out around the new structure and operation of the new entity, but today’s announcement is undoubtedly a major step towards creating a new entity which will act as a catalyst for growth for the wider region in the years to come,” a spokesperson for the state company said.
She admitted, however, that it was difficult for Shannon Development to comment fully as it was still unsure of the details. “There are implications for Shannon Development’s longstanding economic development operations, but at this early stage it is difficult to assess the implications of the proposed restructuring, and the company will be taking time to reflect on the announcement. To this end, Shannon Development will work closely with the various Government departments concerned to get clarification for staff and clients around the decision as soon as possible,” she said.
There was little of a fully-formed plan evident in the Government’s announcement on Wednesday, which said the company would be brought together with the independent airport “to form a new entity with a commercial mandate in public ownership.”
“This decision represents a new beginning for the Shannon region, involving a drive to develop a worldclass aviation industry in Shannon, and a restructuring of tourism and enterprise support agencies in the region to support this goal,” the government statement said.
“The new entity will have a clear mandate, working closely with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to develop the potential of the aviation sector, and will explore other opportunities with those agencies for further prospective investments in the region.”
As stated in the Clare People last week, the Government confirmed that Shannon Development’s functions in relation to indigenous enterprise and foreign direct investment would transfer to Enterprise Ireland and IDA respectively, and the tourism functions of Shannon Development, including Regional Tourism Offices, will transfer to Fáilte Ireland.
“This new entity will continue to support the property needs of IDA/ EI clients in the area,” the statement said.
The only specific information revealed stated that the Ministers would establish a Steering Group “to determine the most effective organisational structure of the new entity, develop an implementation strategy for the new body and a plan setting out how the entity will help to achieve strong regional development, while ensuring the highest standard of support for enterprises in the region. The Group’s guiding principle will be the future development of the Shannon area.”
“The Steering Group will in particular assess the feasibility of creating an international aviation centre of excellence centred on Shannon Airport. The Steering Group may establish expert sub groups to assist in this work. The best positioning of the successful Shannon Heritage operation within the State sector will also be considered as part of the deliberations in the months ahead,” it stated.