Mayor Of Clare Accuses Transport Minister Of Failing The People Of Clare

© Shannon Airport Picture

The Mayor of Clare is accusing the Transport Minister of failing the people of Clare by not taking action to secure the future of Shannon Airport.

A cross-county delegation of councillors from both Clare and Limerick is to attempt to secure a meeting with Shane Ross to air their concerns about the future of the Airport, after he failed to meet his own commitment to come here by the end of September.

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It’s been a difficult year for Shannon Airport, with its passenger numbers declining at a time of increases at Dublin and Cork.

A number of factors are at play here, with the Airport badly hit by the global grounding of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

Ryanair has also announced that it’s pulling three routes for 2020, which has led to serious concern among some local representatives.

Independent Sixmilebridge Councillor PJ Ryan says something drastic must be done.

Last evening’s meeting of Clare County Council saw the councillors agree to send a delegation, along with their Limerick, to meet the Transport Minister.

Shane Ross had previously committed to coming to Shannon Airport, but failed to meet his own deadline of the end of September.

Last week, Independent TD Michael Harty – who invited Shane Ross to Clare – said he would come within weeks but Mayor of Clare, Meelick Fianna Fáil Councillor Cathal Crowe says his actions have not good enough.

Clare County Council will now make touch with the Department of Transport to arrange the meeting.

However, Newmarket-on-Fergus Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat McMahon has some reservations about it and says it needs to be more than just empty words.