No Firm Date As Of Yet For Department Action On Shannon Group

There’s still no firm date from the Department of Transport on when it intends to provide clarity on the future structures of Shannon Group, or on its plans to subvent it.

In response to a query from Clare FM, the Department has stated that following on from the Taskforce On Aviation Recovery report, a new National Aviation Policy is being drawn up and an outline of a new policy framework will be reviewed by Minister Eamon Ryan later this year.

It also says that a review of Shannon Group structures has begun, and that “it’s expected the Minister will bring recommendations to government” shortly.

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President of Ennis Chamber Allen Flynn says a new Aviation Policy needs to be published urgently.


Clare FM submitted two questions to the Department of Transport, and a spokesman responded as follows:

What are the Department’s plans in respect of the recommendations of the Taskforce on Aviation Recovery, and in particular those pertaining to Shannon Airport. (e.g. A stimulus for Shannon (and other regional) airports, liquidity reports for the sector, move towards a national aviation policy) Will these recommendations be enacted, and if so when?

Ireland’s aviation industry is crucial to long term economic wellbeing, and has a very important role to play in our economic recovery. As the report from the Aviation Taskforce confirms, aviation is a large employer in Ireland, is a key enabler of our tourism sector, and the global connectivity it provides underpins our position as a small island economy trading successfully on the global stage.

The taskforce report contains a number of recommendations aimed at job retention, route supports and supports for our airports, including Shannon Airport. These recommendations are currently being examined in the context of the Government’s plans to aid broader economic recovery and preserve connectivity. The Government has already implemented some of the recommendations, including the publication of safe air travel protocols and provisions in the recently announced July Stimulus for a new Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme – which will run to April 2021, and a €2 billion COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme. In addition, the Government has put in place a number of supports for companies operating in the aviation sector, which includes deferred tax liabilities, and the ISIF Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund for medium and large enterprises.

There is no doubt that Shannon Group, similar to our other regional airports, has been severely impacted by the economic impacts of COVID-19. The Group has asked for a range of supports from Government to help mitigate the impact of the crisis on both Shannon Airport and Shannon Heritage. The Government has recently approved the provision of €6.1m in emergency grant funding to enable Shannon Airport complete its Hold Baggage Screening Project

In relation to the National Aviation Policy, preparations for a review and update of the existing policy are already underway within the department. Significant change has occurred in the wider context for Aviation since the policy was first published in 2015. This new framework is timely and will be reflective of the current challenges faced by our aviation industry. An outline of the new policy framework will be reviewed by the Minister for Transport later this year.

The Transport minister has announced a review of Shannon Group structures…. when is this review expected to be completed? If this is to be after the end of this year, does the Department intend to extend further financial supports to Shannon Group, on top of funding announced in August to allow Bunratty and King John’s Castles remain open beyond the end of that month?

Minister of State Naughton and Minister Ryan recently secured additional funding for Shannon Heritage which will ensure key sites (i.e. Bunratty Castle and King John’s Castle), that normally remain open until the end of the year, can continue to operate. Minister Naughton is also engaging with key stakeholders around longer term options for Shannon Heritage.

The Review of Shannon Group is currently underway and it is expected that the Minister will bring recommendations to Government in this regard shortly.