Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Shannon Heritage sites like the iconic Bunratty Castle are major cogs in the economy of the mid-west region. In the summer of 2021, the Cabinet decided it would be best to devolve these sites away from the auspices of the Shannon Airport Group and have them managed by the region's local authorities. Councils like Clare County Council in my constituency are eager to make this a success and to play their role, but they have asked the Government - the Taoiseach is aware of this request - for a subvention in the region of €15 million to do so. Sadly, the sites have been neglected for many years and will need an injection of money to make them a success. An offer in the region of €3 million was made in December, but that was well short of the €15 million sought. The initiative is once again moving in a positive direction and there are further negotiations and new offers on the table. Please, will the Taoiseach give all of us in the mid-west who are eagerly waiting for success on this front some positive indications?

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