Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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166. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of times the Shannon Estuary Taskforce met during 2021; the schedule for meetings in 2022; the date by which the work will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6421/22]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to establishing the Shannon Estuary Taskforce to consider the regional economic development potential of the Shannon Estuary. A call will issue shortly for expressions of interest to sit on the Taskforce. Once the composition of the Taskforce has been finalised, engagement with the designated Chairperson of the Taskforce will take place inviting them to map out a series of meetings to inform its work. It is envisaged that the work of the Taskforce will be finalised in 2022.

Officials from my Department have already hosted two inter-departmental meetings with relevant Government Departments, State Agencies and Local Government to explore areas of economic potential across transport and logistics, manufacturing, tourism and renewable energy in the Shannon Estuary. This preliminary engagement will serve as preparatory analysis which can feed into the considerations of the Taskforce.