Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I really appreciate her commitment and that of the Government to the recognition of the strategic importance of Shannon Heritage to the tourism offering of the island of Ireland. People in the mid-west are more than well aware of its importance and it is particularly pleasing to know that the same is true at the heart of Government. The Minister of State's goodwill and her positive sentiment is accepted wholeheartedly but we need her to use her good offices to support the project, which I know she will do because she is committed to it. I ask her to ensure that it gets a speedy transfer from one location to another. It is still remaining, effectively, within State control so while the due diligence issues are important, they should not be insurmountable.

What is critically important is a commitment from central government to provide appropriate funding, in the first instance to assist with the day-to-day activities of the company because Clare County Council is not necessarily a revenue-generating operation in the way that the airport company would be. I am very pleased that the OPW is on board again. Its financial strength as well as its expertise and skills are really important in the protection, preservation and future development of these historic facilities.