TDs Introduce Private Members Motion Over Crisis Facing Irish Airports
A group of 15 Independent TDs will introduce a Private Members Motion to the Dáil tomorrow (10:00am-midday, Wednesday, 11 November 2020) seeking a range of Government interventions to offset “the imminent crisis facing Irish airports”, in particular Shannon, Knock, Kerry, Donegal and Cork airports. The group, comprising members of the Independent, Rural Independent and Regional Independent groupings, is calling on the Government to:• implement in full the recommendations of the Aviation Recovery Taskforce• prepare a new national aviation policy that recognises the importance of regional connectivity to balanced and more sustainable regional development• revise Fáilte Ireland objectives to include attracting tourists to fly directly into the State’s regional airports• develop a testing regime for passengers to and from both Orange and Red listed destinations in the EU in order to fully implement the spirit of the recent European Council Recommendation on a co-ordinated approach to the restriction of free movement…
Independent TDs Meet Shannon Airport Management
Independent TDs from across the west of Ireland are calling for a range of urgent State supports for Shannon Airport after Shannon Group updated them on how business operations at Shannon Heritage and Shannon Airport have been “decimated” as a result of Covid. In a meeting today with Mary Considine (CEO, Shannon Group) and Ray O’Driscoll (Chief Operating Officer, Shannon Group), Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent Group), Noel Grealish (Galway West, Regional Independent Group), Richard O’Donoghue (Limerick County, Rural Independent Group) and Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon Galway, Independent Group) were informed that Shannon Group is facing weekly revenue losses of €1.3m and is expecting annual revenue for 2020 to be down by 80%. The TDs were also told that Shannon Airport anticipates 350,000 passengers in 2020, down from 1.8m passengers in 2019. The TDs gave a commitment to Shannon Group to meet with the Taoiseach, Minister for Transport and airline representatives with…
Inaugural Michael Cusack Day To Be Held In GAA Founder’s Native Clare
The significant contribution to Irish culture by the founder of the GAA will be celebrated with the inaugural Michael Cusack Day in Carron, located in the heart of the Burren in County Clare, at midday on Sunday (20 September). A Shane Gilmore sculpture representing the central role played by Gaelic Games in communities across the island of Ireland will be unveiled exactly 173 years on from Cusack’s birth in Carron, while 32 trees representing each county will be unveiled as part of the TOMAR Trust-funded GAA and Burren fairy trails near the Michael Cusack Cottage. The event also will feature the launch of “Going WeLL”, a national wellness experience programme being developed nationally by the GAA to encourage people to take better care of their mental and physical health, and by so doing, to reconnect with their communities. Going WeLL is being rolled out on a pilot outreach basis to…
Independent TDs call for urgent Government action on Shannon Airport
A group of Independent TDs from across the West of Ireland have issued a joint statement calling on Government to ensure connectivity from North America and Heathrow to Shannon Airport, and to implement fully the recommendations of the Aviation Recovery Taskforce in support of economic recovery across the region. The group is seeking a meeting with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport to impress upon them the urgency of the situation in the aviation sector and its effect across the entire economy. The TDs will also seek to meet Aer Lingus, Ryanair and the Shannon Group to ascertain what Government actions are required to maintain connectivity at Shannon which is important to their constituencies from Malin Head to Mizen Head. The TDs have expressed their concern over the potential transfer of Aer Lingus aircraft serving routes to the US from Shannon Airport to alternative UK airports and its delay…
Clare tourism group issues Open Letter to Taoiseach over Shannon Airport
The Clare Tourism Recovery Taskforce, a business group comprising representatives of the Clare tourism and hospitality sector, has warned that almost 9,000 tourism jobs could be lost in County Clare this year In an Open Letter to Taoiseach Micheal Martin, the Taskforce is requesting urgent Government supports to Shannon Airport. The group says the decision by Delta and United Airlines not to resume flights from Shannon Airport in 2021 and the potential transfer of Aer Lingus aircraft serving routes to the US and UK away from Shannon Airport will have “significant and long-lasting negative consequences” for the tourism sector across County Clare and the wider Mid-West Region. “In Clare, tourism makes a vital economic contribution to our local economy. Up until recently, it supported 12,000 jobs and generated €266m in local tourism revenues annually. An estimated 8,800 tourism jobs in Clare (nearly 75%) are now at risk this year. “We…
Irish Businesses Moving Online For Christmas
The ongoing enforcement of social distancing measures on high streets across Ireland will lead to a surge in businesses looking to boost their online presence this Christmas, according to a leading Irish eCommerce provider.
Limerick City Retailer Launches Online To Offset High Street Shutdown
A Limerick city centre retailer that closed its doors in March due to the COVID-19 restrictions has commenced trading once again following the launch of its new website.
Miltown Malbay watermain replacement scheduled for early next year
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara says he has received confirmation from Irish Water that the proposed replacement of the old watermain from Miltown Malbay to Mullagh will commence during the first quarter of 2021.
Retailers Record 400% Increase In Online Sales
The introduction of COVID-19 restrictions has led to a significant increase in online sales for Irish retailers, according to a leading ecommerce firm.
COVID-19 Medical Recovery Plan Needed Now – McNamara
Clare T.D. Michael McNamara has called on the health authorities in Ireland to set out a detailed Medical Recovery Plan on how coronavirus restrictions may be lifted in stages considering the news that the rate of transmission has slowed.