This article is from page 8 of the 2013-01-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
IT WAS not all bad news for Shannon in the Airport Feasibility Study Commissioned by Irish Aid, however the light at the end of the tunnel was quite dim.
It outlined a potential opening for the airport in EU civil protection.
However the EU civil protection is in its infancy and most member states “are not yet fully on board” with civil protection.
According to the report, an EU civil protection role for Shannon Airport presents a more attractive risk/benefit ratio that the other three roles because the potential European disaster sites are closer the reports author maintains.
It also ascertained that Shannon’s neutral peripheral site could be useful in certain circumstances, and it could fit into the ongoing trends at EU level to strengthen civil protection co-ordination and response capabilities.
Setting up an EC civil protection base in Shannon would also be more cost effective than any of the other roles. The study argues that civil protection also shows as higher variable than other roles because European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) has not yet defined its civil protection policy direction and is exploring various options.
This statement however also argues against such a role for Shannon Airport any time soon, as there is disagreement between different Eu- ropean bodies on the precise role of civil protection and any resolution will take time.
Ireland has provided some resources such as flood management experts in response to requests from other European states which strengthens the Shannon cause although dimming that light again is the National Directorate’s description of Ireland as “not a major player” relative to other states such as Germany, France and the UK.
The Shannon Feasibility Study maintains however, “While the specifics are by no means decided, an EU civil protection role for Shannon Airport may potentially represent better value for money, particularly because there are no clear service providers with whom to compete.”