Transport Minister Asked To Invest Travel Tax Revenue In International Cargo Hub

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has been asked to invest some of the millions of euro in revenue generated by the 10 euro air travel tax into the development of an international cargo hub at Shannon Airport.

The Mid-West Regional Authority (MWRA) and Mayors of the Region’s four local authorities met Minister Dempsey in Dublin this afternoon to also highlight the need to develop a strong business plan for an autonomous Shannon Airport. The delegation stressed that that the airport could no longer survive on air passengers travelling to and from the facility and that the development of an international cargo hub was key to securing its future.
Speaking following the hour long meeting, MWRA Cathaoirleach Councillor Leo Walsh commented: “We emphasised the requirement for urgent Government investment in the proposed cargo hub as an existing Memorandum Of Understanding between major international cargo handler Lynxs Group of Austin, Texas, and The Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) is due to expire in mid 2010. We stressed that the Government has a clear opportunity to help secure the future of Shannon Airport and the creation of hundreds of jobs in the West of Ireland. It is estimated that between 4-5 million euro are required to put the necessary infrastructure in place at Shannon to deliver the Lynxs Group project.”

Commenting on the benefits associated with an international Cargo Hub, MWRA Director Liam Conneally said: “Shannon's unrestricted runway, round-the-clock operation, efficient handling and the presence of many of the major global logistics firms provide air cargo/freight options unavailable at any other Irish airport. There is no doubt that the construction and operation of an international hub by the Lynxs Group would consolidate the operations of existing multinationals in the region as well as help attract inward investment from other multinationals.”

He noted that the Mid West Regional Planning Guidelines and Clare County Council’s Development plans support the development of a cargo hub at Shannon. “The Shannon Cargo Hub is vital to the future sustainable business model for the Airport and Shannon has all the associated road connectivity necessary to make the business a success. The MWRA and the Region’s Mayors welcome the Minister’s commitment to investigating the potential for Government investment in the proposed facility”, added Mr. Conneally.

Councillor Bill O’Donnell, Leas Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council pointed out that the region’s local authorities were committed to engaging with Government in a positive and proactive way for the betterment of the Mid-West. He indicated, however, that the SAA’s development of a business plan was being hindered by the lack of clarity coming from the Government regarding future autonomy for Shannon Airport.

“The new SAA board is working to develop a new business model while at the same time realising the fundamental role that the Airport plays in promoting regional development and jobs in the Mid-West. I informed the Minister, however, that our contacts with the Airport would indicate that it is difficult to ascertain what the Dublin Airport Authority’s vision for Shannon Airport is and the consequent difficulty the SAA board to plan for the future in such a business/policy vacuum”, explained Councillor O’Donnell.

Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy asked Minister Dempsey to support the continued marking of the Shannon Customs a Border Post, which enables passengers to go through both US immigration and customs inspections before departing Ireland.

“I reminded Minister Dempsey of the need for Government to support efforts to further develop and market them, as well as expand on the 121 out of 480 of international airports in the US that are currently served by the facilities. On behalf of the delegation, I informed the Minister that without the specialist marketing of the pre-clearance facilities there is a danger that his vision and work to deliver this facility to the Shannon region will not be fully realised for the benefit of the region. I stressed that the importance of increasing Government support of specific marketing initiatives, such as the targeting of the Nordic countries, Lithuania, Austria and Poland which do not have direct transatlantic services and can pre-clear at Shannon”, explained Mayor Mulcahy.

He added: “There is an acknowledgement by the management and staff at Shannon Airport that the pre-clearance facilities have to be to the highest standard and we understand that the Airport is working with the School of Architecture at UL to deliver high quality design at Shannon”.

Councillor Denis McCarthy, Deputy Mayor of Limerick City noted that the development of a marketing strategy for Shannon Airport supported by a dedicated fund was now a priority for the airport. He continued: “While the attraction of new airlines and route development is a must for the airport, tourism marketing and tourism product development is also necessary as is the specialised marketing of the customs and border control facility at Shannon. We told the Minister that to assist Shannon’s plight in dealing with ‘Open Skies’ the Shannon Airport Catchment Fund for 2010 should be dedicated to marketing the actual catchment area of the airport. We suggested that to maximise the effect of the fund the Shannon Airport Authority and Shannon Development partnership, as opposed to Tourism Ireland, should have control of the fund”.

Meanwhile, Councillor Denis Ryan, Mayor of North Tipperary has asked Minister Dempsey to provide additional funding for local authorities in meeting the costs incurred during and after the recent extreme weather conditions. “I appeal to the Minister for the Department’s assistance to help local authorities in meeting these significant additional costs. An adequately funded and completed Mid-West Road Restoration Programme is key to retaining quality access to Shannon Airport”, he said.

The Mid-West delegation that met with Minister Dempsey included Cllr Leo Walsh, Cathaoirleach, MWRA; Cllr Tony Mulcahy, Mayor of Clare; Cllr Bill O’Donnell, Leas Cathaoirleach of Limerick County; Cllr Denis Ryan Mayor of North Tipperary; Cllr Denis McCarthy Deputy Mayor of Limerick City; and L Conneally, Director, MWRA. The delegation also met with Aer Lingus Chief Executive Christoph Muller last month.

Additional Support For New Entrants To Dairying

Junior Agriculture Minister and Clare T.D., Tony Killeen has confirmed plans by the Department of Agriculture to allocate the second of five annual increases of one per cent in milk quotas agreed under the so-called "health check" of the CAP reform.

One quarter of the increase or approximately 14 million litres will again be set aside to support new entrants to milk production. The balance will be allocated as a 0.75 per cent increase in quota on a permanent, saleable basis for every producer active on 1 April 2010.

According to Minister of State Killeen: “The Department’s consideration of how best to allocate this year's quota increase has been informed by a careful assessment of the impact of last year's allocation. The Department is keen to enhance the position of all milk producers, but has also paid close attention to the views of the farming organisations and ICOS on the implementation of last year's New Entrants Scheme. I am delighted to note that the Scheme has been received very positively, and that there is a desire to build on that success with a repeat of the process.”.

He continued: “The one issue that did emerge was the need to make provision for those who bought quota as new entrants in recent Trading Schemes. The Department has therefore decided to again use one quarter of the increase to support new entrants, and to earmark some of this amount for special allocations to suitably qualified Trading Scheme applicants".

The details of the scheme will be finalised and published shortly, but Minister of State Killeen indicated that he envisages similar arrangements to last year.

Potential new entrants will apply to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to participate in the scheme, and will be joined by those who purchased quota through the Milk Quota Trading Scheme as new entrants in respect of any of the last four milk quota years, including 2010/2011. On this occasion a maximum of 50 successful 'brand new' entrants will each receive allocations of 200,000 litres of quota. The balance of approximately 4 million litres will be divided equally between suitably qualified Trading Scheme applicants.

All applicants will be carefully chosen based on their own circumstances and their potential viability as dairy farmers. A comprehensive business plan will have to be submitted, and all applications will be subjected to a rigorous assessment by the same independent assessment group that adjudicated on last year's New Entrants Scheme.

Killeen Launches Ireland's Proposals On The Reform Of The Common Fisheries Policy

Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food today launched Ireland's proposals on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Following the launch of the EU Commission's Green Paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, Minister Killeen appointed Dr Noel Cawley to co-ordinate consultation with stakeholders. Dr Cawley organised an extensive consultation process which involved meetings around the coast, an open call for submissions and a Seminar organised by the Federation of Irish Fishermen.

Minister Killeen paid tribute to the Federation of Irish Fishermen and other stakeholders for “their invaluable contribution to the preparation of Ireland's submission on the CFP reform which is strongly informed by the formal submissions received”. He continued: “I found the meetings around the country organised by the FIF critically important in getting a full understanding of fishermen's experience and ideas for change. I also found the seminar organised by the FIF last October was very useful in scoping the issues and bringing forward ideas for change. I also sought and received submissions from a range of other stakeholders both from the fishing industry and elsewhere. I also met separately other stakeholder bodies including the Irish Fishermen's Organisation, the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association, IFA Aquaculture and the Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership."

Ireland's submission on the CFP reform sets down a number of informed recommendations that the Minister believes must be incorporated into the new Common Fisheries Policy.

The changes include:
- New focus on addressing discarding of fish at sea with a complete ban being introduced for stocks in a depleted state;
- The retention of a management system based on national quotas supported by increased flexibility and a rejection of the mandatory privatisation of fish quotas or the introduction of international trading of fish quotas;
- Access to coastal waters to be re-examined with a view to an extension of the coastal limit to 20 miles with new management arrangements in place to strengthen coastal communities dependant on inshore coastal fisheries;
- New measures to strengthen the market for EU producers and increase quay side prices;
- Reinvigoration of European aquaculture with continued structural support and a roadmap that establishes a route for growth in harmony with Community environmental law.
- New regional structure to decision making at EU level with increasing industry responsibility and the development of a culture of compliance.

Minister Killeen continued: "I am satisfied that the changes Ireland is seeking are essential to deliver a seafood industry that is strong, sustainable and profitable and supports fishing and related economic activities in the coastal communities. I believe that these communities must be allowed maintain jobs in the catching, supply and processing sectors in order to prosper. It is not just the activities of the smaller, inshore fleets that support this vital activity but, in Ireland's case, the operation of family owned, locally operated larger boats are the primary mainstay of activity in our fishing ports in many cases."

Minister Killeen has formally sent Ireland's submission to Commissioner Maria Damanaki who has taken over the new Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Directorate. He stated: "I have requested a meeting with Commissioner Damanaki to outline the key elements of Ireland's CFP Review submission and explain the changes that we consider are essential. I have also invited Commissioner Damanaki to visit Ireland to see at first hand the workings of the fishing industry here and perhaps take the opportunity of meeting industry in their own environment."

The report in its entirety and all formal submissions received are available on www.fishingnet.ie.