Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

As the House is aware, a number of recent developments will impact on the mid-west region and the State agencies located there. First, under decentralisation policy, some 1,210 staff from Departments and State agencies will transfer from Dublin to the mid-west region and the headquarters of Enterprise Ireland involving 300 of the agency's Dublin based staff will be moved to Shannon.

Second, it has been agreed that the management of Shannon town should be transferred from Shannon Development and vested in Clare County Council. The proposal by the Minister for Transport, which is again supported by the board of Shannon Development, to establish an independent Shannon Airport authority is also important in this context.

In light of these changed circumstances, I met the chairman, some members of the board of Shannon Development and the chief executive of the company on several occasions recently to explain and expand on matters under consideration. At the meetings, I also asked the board to bring forward detailed proposals in regard to the role that Shannon Development can play in the future development of the region and this discussion is ongoing.

I am aware of concerns expressed by trade unions, companies in the region and other interested parties. In this regard, I wish to stress my commitment to the future of Shannon and the mid-west region as a whole. My concern is to ensure that we put in place the most dynamic, sensible and efficient structures and manage the region's most valuable and strategic assets so as to optimise their benefit for the entire region.

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