| Breen urges Taoiseach to save Shannon |
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| Wednesday, 27 August 2008 10:47 | |
 FINE Gael TD Pat Breen has called on the Taoiseach to allow Shannon Airport avail of a unique opportunity by fast-tracking the legislation which will extend the US Customs and Border Protection facility at the Airport.“Shannon Airport’s business jet traffic is set for a major boost with potentially 600 jets per week set to land at the mid-west airport if the extension to the facility at Shannon is given the green light,” he said. “I welcome the news that British Airways is set to stop off twice daily en route from London City Airport to New York on their first ever long-haul service from the airport commencing in October 2009.” “I congratulate Martin Mooney and his management team for their success in winning this contract and it is a welcome boost to the airport and to the surrounding area in terms of those companies supplying auxiliary services to the airport. “However, I believe that a key factor in Willie Walsh’s decision to stop-off at Shannon is the availability of US Customs and Border Protection facilities at the Airport. We could have up to 600 business jet aircraft landings at Shannon per week in the near future if this Government puts it shoulder to the wheel and fast tracks the necessary legislation.” Over the past eighteen months Deputy Breen has made several attempts to spur the Government to action having raised the matter by way of parliamentary question and in a dáil adjournment debate. He has also expressed his annoyance that the Air Navigation Transport Pre-Clearance Bill was not included in the Government’s legislation programme prior to the summer recess. In recent weeks in an effort to have this matter clarified Deputy Breen together with his frontbench colleague Deputy Billy Timmins held discussions with the US Ambassador to Ireland, Thomas Foley. “We were heartened by the ambassador’s support for this project and my understanding from this meeting is that negotiations are near conclusion and the only remaining piece of the jigsaw to be completed is the passage of the Air Navigation Transport Pre Clearance Bill. I have today written to the Taoiseach urging him to bring this bill before the house for consideration after the summer recess,” he said. “The potential for Shannon is huge. Private jet travel is taking off in Europe and the market is growing at over 25 per cent per year, according to Euro control, the number of business jets registered in Europe between 2005 and 2007 rose from around 1,100 to nearly 1,900 - an increase of 70% and this could rise to around 4,000 by 2017.” “The US Government is very supportive of this project and their support must be matched by our own Government. Having failed to act to secure our Heathrow slots in this region, it would be absolutely catastrophic if they allow this huge opportunity for Shannon Airport to be squandered.” |