A working group set up by the Government to support the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council hasn’t met in over a month.
The news casts fresh doubt on the status of the sites, with negotiations having been ongoing for nearly a year.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe told Clare FM’s Morning Focus yesterday that he’s hopeful the sites will be officially under the management of the local authority here within weeks.
It echoes comments made by Council CEO Pat Dowling last month that he believed a solution could be found before the end of the year.
The Council continues to look for a multi-million euro package to facilitate the transfer of Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Knappogue Castle and Craggaunowen to its portfolio, though it’s the amount they’re looking for that is proving the sticking point.
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton’s told Clare Fianna Fail Deputy Cathal Crowe in written correspondence, seen by Clare FM, that an inter departmental working group, set up to consider how the transfer could be supported across Government, last month on October 13th.
It’s met on just four occasions since its inception in May – the 19th of that month, the 9th of June, the 30th of June and the October meeting.
The Department of Transport has told Clare FM ‘engagement between the relevant departments and the Shannon Airport Group is ongoing’.
You can read the response from Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegard Naughton here.
