“A change in policy and mindset” is needed to lead to a greater use of Shannon Airport which one elected representative of Clare County Council felt has been “completely abandoned”.

On Monday last, Acting CEO of Shannon Group, Mary Considine addressed county councillors and dealt with dozens of queries from the elected representatives.

Green Party councillor, Roisin Garvey told Considine and the meeting, “I think Shannon has been completely abandoned, I think you’ve done very well to still have flights there”. She predicted an increase in staycations over the coming years and suggested Shannon work on building up their services of short-haul flights to coincide with this.

However from an Airport perspective, “it is becoming more challenging to have short haul flights,” Considine outlined. She highlighted that the “good road network” has deterred airlines from establishing such regular routes from Shannon but noted “it is an evolving landscape”.

“It would be great if we could have a train from Shannon, is there something on that happening. We need a train from Shannon to Ennis or Limerick or both,” Cllr Garvey added. Such an idea was mooted by entrepreneur Jackie Whelan during an interview with The Clare Echo in February.

In response, Ms Considine said, “Public transport is very important. CIE provide services to and from the Airport. We would love for the NTA to provide more operators to service the market. We are located between Limerick and Galway, we are the axis between them”.

Fianna Fáil’s Tony O’Brien maintained changes need to come from the capital to improve the current situation. “Shannon Airport is a huge regional economic driver. We can talk until the cows come home but until there’s a change in policy and mindset at national level and we talk to our leaders, we’re not going to see a vibrant Shannon. Shannon has been cut loose and left to survive on it’s own and ye are doing a fantastic job down there.

“We have to see preferential status, I don’t like using those words, we got it when we joined the EU because we were on the periphery and needed a lift. Ireland has been driven from inside the M50 and until all our TDs speak up for balanced regional development that’s going to continue”.

Related News

lahinch promenade car park 21-08-23 4
'Dog SWAT team' needed to clamp down on disgusting behaviour on Clare beaches
TMP_8668
'We Are Human Too' launch hears calls to end shocking discrimination towards persons with disabilities
david griffin
Council not delivering on the 'bread & butter issues' - Griffin
stephen keogh 1
Clonlara's Keogh appointed to Charities Regulator Board
Latest News
lahinch promenade car park 21-08-23 4
'Dog SWAT team' needed to clamp down on disgusting behaviour on Clare beaches
banner ladies v west clare gaels 14-10-23 louise henchy 1
Clare trio play their part in Masters victories
clare v kilkenny 10-03-24 cian galvin peter duggan david reidy 1
Player Ratings: Clare vs Kilkenny
TMP_8668
'We Are Human Too' launch hears calls to end shocking discrimination towards persons with disabilities
david griffin
Council not delivering on the 'bread & butter issues' - Griffin
Premium
TMP_8668
'We Are Human Too' launch hears calls to end shocking discrimination towards persons with disabilities
agriculture hay bales farm 1
Acres Scheme has let down farmers in North Clare
newmarket celtic 1
Newmarket Celtic carve out more history by claiming Munster Champions Cup
clare v kilkenny 10-03-24 brian lohan 1
Limerick still 'head and shoulders' above the rest - Lohan
mayoral awards flan brennan paul murphy marie roche cecelia o'sullivan pat daly 1
'Priceless volunteers' honoured at Ennis mayoral reception

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top