Enterprise Ireland And IDA To Carry Out Development Functions

Fine Gael Clare Senator Martin Conway has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, that he is to publish legislation by the end of the year which will allow Enterprise Ireland and the IDA to carry out enterprise development functions in the Shannon Free Zone.

It follows a Government decision in to create a world class aviation industry at Shannon as part of a series of reforms of state agencies operating in the region. The plan will see the merger of Shannon Airport and Shannon Development into one independent entity and the transfer of the enterprise functions in relation to indigenous industry and foreign direct investment in the Shannon Free Zone to Enterprise Ireland and the IDA.

"I very much welcome the announcement that the necessary legislation is to be published which I think will help to bring a fresh new approach to the Shannon Free Zone. The Zone has a very proud history of both job creation and job sustainability and I have no doubt that this new move will bring together the proud tradition and potential that the area has together with the record and experience of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. Both these organisations have built up an extensive business network both nationally and internationally and have been very successful in growing indigenous business and attracting multinationals to Ireland, despite the tough economic conditions.

"For many years business people and public representatives throughout the Mid-West region have been calling for Shannon Airport to be given its independence from the Dublin Airport Authority. What the Government announced last May is a strategic plan to give Shannon Airport its independence together with a very ambitious but achievable goal of creating a world class aviation hub. Shannon has the infrastructure and the skills base to achieve this. With one of the longest runways of any airport in Europe, together with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the aviation industry and a young educated population there’s huge potential for this to be a major success.

"I wish to commend both Minister Bruton and the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, for their swift action in securing the future of the Airport and the Shannon region. The Government is just 18 months in office and we already have a definite plan in place."

(CD)