This article is from page 2 of the 2012-10-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE break-up of Shannon Development will be put on a legislative footing by the end of the year in a move that will pave the way for Enterprise Ireland and the Industrial Development Authority to take over the running of the Shannon Free Zone.
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, made the announcement on Friday after it was revealed that an agreement had been reached with Shannon Development to enable the two State bodies to take over the enterprise development functions in the Shannon Free Zone.
In announcing this decision, Minister Bruton said, “This Government is committed to securing a bright future for the Shannon region. We have decided to make swift legislative change to ensure that Enterprise Ireland and IDA can, as soon as possible start delivering enterprise support services in the Shannon Free Zone.”
This move follows on from the decision taken in May by Minister Bruton and Transport Minister, Leo Varadkar to create a new world-class aviation industry at Shannon as part of a series of reforms of Government agencies operating in the region.
Central to that plan was the decision to merge Shannon Airport and Shannon Development into a new entity and to transfer Shannon Development’s functions in relation to indigenous enterprise and foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Free Zone to Enterprise Ireland and IDA.
Part of the reforms previously announced was to task IDA and Enterprise Ireland with carrying out enterprise development functions in the Shannon Free Zone, in addition to their existing enterprise development functions throughout the Shannon region.
The agencies will also develop a plan for the delivery of enterprise supports in the Shannon region. This will mean that indigenous and foreign businesses throughout the region will have direct access to the comprehensive range of supports from the State enterprise agencies, as well as to a dynamic international airport with extensive property holdings.
The legislative process made it nec- essary to remove the restriction contained in the Industrial Development Act 1986 on Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland carrying out enterprise development functions in the Shannon Free Zone (SFZ).
This legislation will be published before the end of the year and then put before the two houses of the Oireachtas for enactment in the new year.
“This represents a step along the road to creating a new future for Shannon,” said Minister Bruton. “Much important work remains to be done, and that work is continuing. I am convinced that with the right reforms properly implemented, that a bright future can be delivered, and Government will continue to work hard to ensure that happens.” We will h a ve w in d a n d p le n t y o f ra in e a rly in t h e we e k b u t t h e we e ke n d lo o ks p le a sa n t , fin g e rs c ro sse d .