*Honorary Consul of France Dr Loïc Guyon pictured with Cathal Crowe at Shannon Airport.
TDs and Senators from the constituencies of Clare, Galway-East, Limerick City, Limerick County and Tipperary North have banded together to re-establish the cross-party Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group.
The Group’s aim is to advance the cause of Shannon Airport and advance policy areas that support and enhance Shannon Airport.
A priority of the Group will be to seek continued State funding under the Regional Airports Programme and to also support the development of new routes in commercial aviation and cargo traffic in and out of the airport.
Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) will chair the group. In the next few weeks, the re-established group hopes to have an on-site meeting with Mary Considine and her management team at Shannon Airport. 18 politicians attended the group’s first meeting.
The terms of reference of the Group are to maintain a degree of familiarity with the business and activities of Shannon Airport, to routinely meet with the Chief Executive of The Shannon Airport Group and/or members of the board of The Shannon Airport Group and/or senior management of The Shannon Airport Group, to be advocates for increased business at Shannon Airport, to promote, at all opportunities, the use of Shannon Airport for inbound / outbound commercial passenger flights and cargo activities, including new route development and to lobby for policies that promote the aviation sector in Shannon, further the cause of Shannon Airport and promote balanced regional development in both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.
Former Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) was one of the central figures involved in the creation of the group and served as its first Chairperson.
Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) has welcomed the revival of a cross-party Oireachtas group focused on strengthening Shannon Airport’s future. “This is a very positive development and one that aligns directly with a core goal of my campaign – to bring Shannon Airport back to the forefront of Ireland’s aviation and economic strategy. For too long, the West has been left waiting. This is the kind of joined-up thinking we need.”
She said, “This isn’t just about getting more flights – it’s about restoring ambition. From attracting tourists to boosting exports, Shannon is an asset we cannot afford to neglect. It’s time for coordinated political action, and I welcome this step”.
Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District, Rita added, “Shannon’s success is Clare’s success. And I will continue to work with every stakeholder – locally, nationally and across party lines – to ensure Shannon soars once again”.
