Time To Go “Back To The Drawing Board” On Shannon Group Chair Appointment

The Taoiseach says the new Shannon Group Chair will be appointed very quickly.

It follows a decision by the Transport Minister not to proceed with the appointment of Aaron Forde, saying the Sligo businessman’s use of social media was below the standard expected of the chair of a state board.

Micheal Martin has told the Dáil that the candidate was chosen through a Public Appointments Service process and once Minister Eamon Ryan became aware of Tweets that were unacceptable, he took quick action to deal with it.

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He was responding to a question from Clare’s Independent TD, Michael McNamara who’s described the situation as a fiasco.

Earlier, calls were made for the process of appointing a new Chair of Shannon Group to go “back to the drawing board” if needs be.

With more on the political reaction to these events, here’s Clare FM’s Rebecca O’Sullivan.

In a letter to Minister Eamon Ryan last night, Aaron Forde apologised “unreservedly” for the remarks he had made on Twitter, including a particular apology to people from the travelling community.

And while wished continued success to Shannon Group, a course must now be plotted for it, without Aaron Forde as its chair.

The Department of Transport says it will work to appoint a new chairperson as quickly as possible, but today calls were made for the whole process to be started from scratch in order to find the right person.

Clare Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley stated that all stakeholders in the region should be consulted, so that the person with the right mix of skills in the areas of tourism, aviation and business is appointed.

He feels time is on their side.

Clare’s Fine Gael TD is seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister Eamon Ryan, as well as Government Oireachtas members in the Mid-West Region over what he’s described as the “sorry saga” that’s unfolded.

Deputy Joe Carey, who’s Chair of the all-party Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group, believes there are plenty of qualified people in the region who understand the airport is the engine for growth in the region.