Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Shannon Airport has the longest runway in Europe, a history in terms of transatlantic flights, preclearance for passengers and many other advantages, which we must exploit. I do not believe these could be exploited under the current model of the Dublin Airport Authority. If the attention of the DAA is on filling terminal 2, Shannon Airport will not receive the attention it requires.

Plans are always extremely important. How they are implemented is vital in terms of achieving success. From 31 December 2012 Shannon Airport will be independent of the Dublin Airport Authority. A Shannon Airport board will shortly be appointed, the first task of which will be to recruit a CEO. It is vital that CEO is highly qualified and has experience of managing a large operation.

We then move to implementing the change vis-à-visShannon Development and its integration with NewCo. Shannon Development did fantastic work in the region for many years. It delivered many jobs and was the forerunner in establishing the Shannon free zone. We must, however, move to a new phase and Shannon Development will bring its expertise in various areas, particularly in aviation, to NewCo. We need an integrated plan because Shannon Airport is vital to economic development in the region. Passenger numbers are critical and we must remain focused on the fact that we are seeking to reach passenger numbers of 2.5 million. This plan is realistic and what is required is strong management and adequate resources to ensure Shannon Airport will continue to contribute to the region. It is vital for communities all along the western seaboard that the opportunities provided by the airport are exploited fully.

The report makes reference to a 24 hour, 365 day a year service at the airport which will give Shannon a comparative advantage in international aviation and allow it to further develop the transatlantic market. That is why I am excited about the prospect of allowing airlines to touch down at Shannon Airport and from there fly passengers to transatlantic destinations, rather than their country of origin. The ability to offer pre-clearance to passengers provides enormous opportunities and Shannon Airport can be extremely competitive in this regard. Side by side with this is the matter of aviation services. The idea of an aviation services centre of excellence at Shannon is not new. Shannon Airport has been a pioneer in this area, with Guinness Peat Aviation, Shannon Aerospace and others located there in the past. The aim is to build on the existing level of expertise. There are 1,600 people already working in that sector at Shannon, with 230 working in the airport.

As a Deputy from Limerick city, for me Shannon Airport has always been synonymous with the region and Limerick, in particular. Historically, areas such as Caherdavin on the north side of the city have had large numbers of locals employed at the airport and expanded on that basis. The airport must regain its premier place as an international airport and a provider of employment in the region. In that context, aviation services, in particular, are being targeted. I welcome the commitment made in the budget that tax incentives will be provided for the aviation services sector and hangar providers and I look forward to seeing the details.

We have the expertise, infrastructure and workforce talent to have an independent Shannon Airport and show what the mid-west and western regions can do on their own. Deputies have referred to the fact that people have concerns about the plan. I can understand this from the perspective of the workers. However, when one examines the plan in detail and analyses the structures being put in place, one will see that a stronger, more vibrant future is possible for Shannon Airport as an independent entity rather than as an airport tied to the hind tail of the DAA. The lack of independence meant that the airport did not know where it stood and was continually looking over its shoulder in fear that flights would be diverted to Dublin. Often flights were pulled simply to fill a hangar and occupy Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport.

The year of The Gathering is 2013; Limerick city will be the National City of Culture in 2014 and a feasibility study is being conducted of a proposal for a national Diaspora centre in Limerick. However, critical to any plan to have a national Diaspora centre in Limerick is an international airport on the city's doorstep that will be a gateway to the city and the wider region. An independent Shannon Airport can provide the flexibility, direction and energy to ensure we will meet the targets for jobs and passenger numbers. The measures proposed by the Minister are welcome and I hope the Opposition will agree, whatever about the details of the plan, that Shannon Airport needs to be independent of the DAA in order to take its rightful place in the aviation industry. From my perspective as a representative of Limerick city, we are entering an exciting period. This will prove to be a monumental decision on the part of the Government.

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