‘Sorry, lads,’ says Minister Dempsey
THE Give Shannon Wings campaign has failed to take off.
That’s the frank admission of one of its founding members, John O’Connor, claiming that people of influence have offered no encouragement in furthering their cause.
He is frustrated by the lack of action by government in response to efforts to breathe life back into Shannon airport.
O’Connor launched the campaign along with fellow Ennis businessmen David Woodford and Brian O’Neill, and set up the Give Shannon Wings website in September, securing over 13,000 signatures.
Since then the trio have set up meetings with those with influence in a bid to drive business back to the airport.
However, Mr. O’Connor told the Limerick Post that the experience has been disheartening.
“We had a meeting with the transport minister Noel Dempsey. We weren’t expecting much from him and there were no surprises.
“The fact is that Shannon is the linchpin of the local economy at every level but Dempsey said ‘sorry, lads, I have no control over it’.
“We spoke about the importance of securing the Lynx cargo facility at Shannon, but he didn’t seem so on the ball on the topic”.
Mr. O’Connor said the marketing fund for the airport, as recommended by Denis Brosnan, should be implemented, but would just sit in a file in government offices.
“Even Brosnan has highlighted his frustration that none of his recommendations are being taken seriously. That there is a lack of communication, and bodies are not working together.
“Officials are just going through the motions and paying lip service. There is a litany of waste going on but nothing actually being done”.
He is adamant that the DAA should no longer control the airport and that autonomy should be achieved for Shannon.
“The Mid West Task Force said that Shannon has to be autonomous. While the DAA is in control Dublin will always be priority”.
The next plan is to meet with the Opposition.
“David has organised meetings with Enda Kenny and Pat Breen, so we’ll see what Fine Gael and Labour have to say”.
