Tony Mulcahy (Fine Gael)

I will be a little parochial today. I am a Member for just over 13 months, as are the rest of the Senators. A monumental decision was taken today on Shannon Airport and Shannon Industrial Estate. Shannon is my town. I welcome the decision by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, to set up an autonomous debt-free Shannon Airport and industrial estate under the management of a new body. The industrial estate will be under the remit of the IDA where the placement of industry is concerned. Enterprise Ireland will handle the enterprise side, and responsibility for tourism has been transferred to Fáilte Ireland.

Many present may not know that the demise of the industrial estate and airport over the past ten years has been phenomenal. Today, however, is a new day. I welcome the courage of both Ministers and their staff in making their decision. I have no doubt that, by the end of the year, there will be a new body in place in the Shannon region free from the dead hand of the DAA. Will the Deputy Leader ask both Ministers to keep us informed about the decision-making process involving the steering group over the next seven or eight months and keep us updated on progress. I welcome the decision and wish the Ministers the very best of luck in that regard.