This article is from page 15 of the 2011-12-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
LOCAL councillors have criticised comments from the Minister for Transport, Leo Vardakar, stating that Shannon Airport will make an € 8m loss this year.
Fianna Fáíl councillor Pat McMahon told yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council that there is widespread concern among staff at the airport about the statement.
The Newmarket-on-Fergus councillor described the figures as “highly debatable” and the product of “creative accounting”. He was speaking as councillors debated a motion tabled by Cllr McMahon and fellow Fianna Fáil councillor, Pat Daly.
The motion states, “We request the council to make contact with the Minister for Finance, Mr Michael Noonan TD, and urge him to set up an all-party forum of Oireachtas members and representatives of the councils from the West and MidWest, seeking the continuation of Shannon Airport as a top-class international airport”.
Some councillors expressed support for the proposal though some said a forum was not the best option.
Cllr Daly told the meeting that elected representatives should have a say in the future of Shannon Airport, which he said was suffering from the absence of a clear marketing strategy. He described Shannon as a “dying airport”.
Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) said Shannon might not be making a loss at all when depreciation and loan charges are taken into account.
Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said the problems at Shannon Airport stretch back 10 to 15 years. Cllr Cathal Crowe (FG) said the airport has “everything going for it” but a new management structure needs to be put in place. He said Shannon should be spoken about in positive and optimistic terms.
Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) urged all Clare TDs to put political differences aside and work together to secure the future of Shannon Airport. He said Fianna Fáíl TD, Timmy Dooley, should use his “years of experience in government” to help his counterparts in Labour and Fine Gael.
Concern was also raised over the number of US-bound flights using pre-clearance facilities at Shannon. Cllr McMahon tabled a motion stating that the council seek “detailed information from the Department of Transport on the potential for further development of pre-clearance type facilities at Shannon Airport.”