Hope has been expressed that an agreement can be reached to facilitate the transfer of the operation of Shannon Heritage sites to the local authority before Christmas.
Clare County Council says it “can’t proceed” with the proposed takeover of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Knappogue Castle and Craggaunowen, citing ‘ongoing uncertainty’ on details surrounding the process, including Government funding.
The Council has left the door open to return to the matter at a later date.
Shannon Heritage staff say they’ll ‘gather the troops’ and assess their next move.
It follows the breakdown in talks on transferring the management of the sites from the Shannon Airport Group to Clare County Council.
The local authority has said it can no longer proceed with taking over Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Knappogue Castle and Craggaunowen, without what it describes as ‘real and meaningful’ support from Government.
Councillors are likely to debate the matter at their monthly meeting later today, though the Council has said it remains open to reopening negotiations in the future.
Shannon Heritage staff member Dolores Marren says they’ll be engaging with unions to assess their next steps.
The Clare Tourism Advisory Forum has expressed fresh concern over the impact the ongoing uncertainty is having on the tourism sector.
Chair of the representative group, Sean Lally believes Clare County Council would be a good fit for the future operation of the heritage sites, based on its track record with the Cliffs of Moher.
The Ennis Hotelier says it’s time now for Senior Government Ministers to “walk the walk, as well as talk the talk, and deliver”.
A Clare Independent TD has accused the Government of handling the situation badly, saying one Department is passing the buck to another.
Michael McNamara has previously called for a mediator to be appointed to the process and has made fresh calls for all three parties; the Council, Shannon Airport Group and Government to sit down and resolve any issues.
The Scariff Deputy says he believes the Taoiseach has “shirked his authority” over the matter.
Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD claims the ongoing delay in the allocation of just over 15 million euro in funding has been caused by a “squabble” between three Government Departments over where the money will come from.
But, with just days to go to Dáil recess, Meelick Deputy Cathal Crowe says he remains hopeful that issues can be ironed out at the eleventh hour.
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