Breen welcomes draft law to pave way for creation of Shannon Airport Authority Fine Gael Clare TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen, has today (Tuesday) welcomed the announcement that the Government has approved the drafting of the Shannon Aviation Services and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2013, which paves the way for the creation of the new Shannon Airport Authority. Under the legislation, a new State company, Shannon Group plc, will be established and the existing shareholdings held by the Government in both Shannon Development and Shannon Airport Authority will be transferred to it. “The approval by Cabinet of the drafting of the legislation is a major step forward in advancing the creation of the new Shannon Airport Authority. The new State Company, Shannon Group plc, will combine the expertise and experience of Shannon Development and Shannon Airport. The new structure will allow the airport to increase traffic, create jobs and support development in the wider region. Crucially, it will allow the airport and the region to regain control of its own development. “The latest passenger traffic figures from the Airport are testament to the role an independent Shannon Airport Authority will play in the region’s economic recovery. Figures for June 2013 show the first increase in passenger traffic at the airport in over five years. This is adding to the renewed optimism about Shannon Airport amongst tourism and business interests not only in the region but across the international aviation sector. “The challenge is to sustain that growth going forward. In my role as Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, I have held several meetings with a number of aviation companies to encourage them to consider setting up in Shannon and I am encouraged by the positive responses which I have received so far and the passage of this legislation will further copper fasten investor confidence in the airport. “This Government is committed to supporting the resurgence of Shannon Airport. We have delivered on our commitment to put in place a strong and independent authority and introduced a serious of financial measures which are focused on stimulating aviation activity around the airport. A new board and the new CEO, Neil Pakey, have been installed and we are now delivering the final piece of the jigsaw, which is to bring forward legislation to allow the necessary changes to happen.” ENDS
Posted on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 08:46:27 +0000
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