Mayor Of Clare Challenges Aer Lingus To Dispel Talk Of Transatlantic Cuts At Shannon

The Mayor of Clare today called on management at Aer Lingus to immediately clarify its plans regarding its operating of transatlantic services at Shannon Airport.

High level aviation industry sources have informed Councillor Madeline Taylor Quinn that they believe that Aer Lingus is readying itself to announce a reduction of services between Shannon and New York and the complete withdrawal of its Shannon to Chicago link. The Mayor’s comments follows today’s announcement by the airline that it will require fundamental changes in its operations following losses of more than EUR22m so far this year. Aer Lingus presently operates services between Shannon and Boston, Chicago and New York.

Mayor Taylor-Quinn explained that the airline's first-half loss had served to feed into the growing sense of uncertainty surrounding the future of transatlantic services at Shannon. ‘I believe that today’s financial statement raises questions and further heightens concerns about Aer Lingus’ long-term commitment to its transatlantic services from Shannon. Despite stating this week that it will not be making any announcement regarding its operations at Shannon in the immediate future, I now call on Aer Lingus management to immediately clarify its future intentions regarding Shannon Airport’, added the Mayor.

She continued, ‘the retention of existing transatlantic services and future expansion are critical for the economic viability of County Clare and the wider region. Thousands of jobs and the sustainability of entire communities depend on these vital anchor services. As a region that helped establish and nurture the airline, we are entitled to be informed of any plans that the airline may have regarding its future operations at Shannon’.

Mayor Of Clare Challenges Aer Lingus To Dispel Talk Of Transatlantic Cuts At Shannon

The Mayor of Clare today called on management at Aer Lingus to immediately clarify its plans regarding its operating of transatlantic services at Shannon Airport.

High level aviation industry sources have informed Councillor Madeline Taylor Quinn that they believe that Aer Lingus is readying itself to announce a reduction of services between Shannon and New York and the complete withdrawal of its Shannon to Chicago link. The Mayor’s comments follows today’s announcement by the airline that it will require fundamental changes in its operations following losses of more than EUR22m so far this year. Aer Lingus presently operates services between Shannon and Boston, Chicago and New York.

Mayor Taylor-Quinn explained that the airline's first-half loss had served to feed into the growing sense of uncertainty surrounding the future of transatlantic services at Shannon. ‘I believe that today’s financial statement raises questions and further heightens concerns about Aer Lingus’ long-term commitment to its transatlantic services from Shannon. Despite stating this week that it will not be making any announcement regarding its operations at Shannon in the immediate future, I now call on Aer Lingus management to immediately clarify its future intentions regarding Shannon Airport’, added the Mayor.

She continued, ‘the retention of existing transatlantic services and future expansion are critical for the economic viability of County Clare and the wider region. Thousands of jobs and the sustainability of entire communities depend on these vital anchor services. As a region that helped establish and nurture the airline, we are entitled to be informed of any plans that the airline may have regarding its future operations at Shannon’.

Clarecastle Community Asked For Input On Blueprint For Development In Ennis And Environs

Members of the local community in Clarecastle will get an opportunity to have their say on the draft Ennis & Environs Development Plan 2008 at a public meeting next week.

Clare County Council will host the consultation event in Clarecastle Community Hall on Thursday, 4 September from 3-6pm. Submissions and observations that relate to the future planning, development and provision of services in Ennis town and its environs are invited until 3 October 2008.

The draft Plan also includes a draft Housing Strategy and a list of structures proposed to be included in the Record of Protected Structures. The Plan is due to be adopted by 8 December 2008 and will cover the period December 2008 to December 2014.

Mr. John Bradley from the Economic Development and Planning Department of Clare County Council, explained that the new Plan would be a blueprint for development for the Ennis & Environs area over the next six years. “Ennis has been designated as a Hub town in terms of the Government’s National Spatial Strategy and its growth over the past 7 years has far outstripped all other Hubs in Ireland. The Plan will also contain detailed proposals designed to improve the environment of Ennis town centre and new policies relating to land on the east side of the town prone to flooding”, added Mr. Bradley.

Further public consultation events will be held in Ennis in early September when members of staff will be on hand to answer questions. Submissions to the draft Plan should be in writing. The closing date for submissions is 3 October 2008. The draft Plan can be inspected at Ennis Library and Local Studies Centre, and at the Town Council and County Council offices where it is also available for purchase.