This article is from page 9 of the 2006-06-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
WORKERS’ representatives at Shannon Development have expressed concern about a new group that has come together to promote the west of Ireland.
The new entity, known as the Atlantic Way Group, includes many well-known names in business, politics, education and public administration.
The role it intends playing has already come under scrutiny in the Dáil.
“There is deep concern amongst staff over the role that the Atlantic Way Group will perform. It appears to have the same policies as Shannon Development,” a workers’ representative spokesman at Shannon Development told The Clare People .
“There would appear to be more than enough organizations doing the work that the Atlantic Way claims it will carry out. Is this just another unnecessary layer of bureaucracy?”
The official launch of the Atlantic Way Group is expected in the near future. Its mission statement says that, “it does not seek to do the work of any other group or organisation whose remit is to achieve stated objectives, but it will assist, profile and work towards supporting their objectives in an overall context”.
The group describes itself as, “a movement comprised of a number of committed people, representative of key private and public sector bodies, which seeks to maximise the development potential of the West by supporting and promoting best practice in every aspect”.
It sets out its principal aim as bringing “coherence, coordination and a sense of urgency to infrastructural development, excellent technological services, quality employment, lifelong education and quality of life.”
Those involved in Atlantic Way include former MEP, Pat Cox; Care County Manager, Alec Fleming; President of UL, Roger Downer; Shannon Development’s Chief Executive, Kevin Thompstone and the development body’s Chairman, Liam McElligott.
The group came under Dáil scrutiny, when Labour’s Ruairi Quinn quizzed Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister, Micheál Martin, on whether it would receive State funding. He also asked what role it would play and whether this would overlap with Shannon Development.
The Minister said that Shannon Development “facilitates and supports the Atlantic Way initiative, as it is consistent with the company’s focus on balanced regional development.”
He confirmed that this support included “a small financial amount, approved by Shannon Development as a support for the proposed launch of Atlantic Way and a range of practical non-financial supportive actions.”