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Tag Archives: Paschal Donohoe

IFA seeks voluntary measures on Greenway projects

IFA president, Eddie Downey has called on Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe to work with his organisation to develop a voluntary package of measures that facilitates the development of proposed Greenway projects, while protecting farmers’ rights. He said, “The Government plans to develop over 330km of Greenway tracks across the country over the next number of years.These projects have the potential to attract tourists and economic development to many rural areas”. However, the IFA president said they will also significantly impact on farmers and may in some instances divide farm holdings. “This is leading to landowners firmly opposing the use of CPOs, which may have a negative impact on the long-term success of the greenways initiative. Therefore it is essential that a robust package of measures is put in place which recognises the inconvenience, severance and injurious affection caused and goodwill required.” Mr Downey has also called on local authorities to engage in this process with the Department of Transport and …

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Clare to gain from improving overseas tourism

Following on from a good year for overseas visitors to Ireland in 2014, indications are that this trend is set to continue, which augurs well for tourism in Clare. CSO data releaased this week shows that the number of overseas visits between November 2014 and January 2015 increased by 9.1% compared to the corresponding period for 2013/2014. The CSO Quarterly National Household Survey shows further positive results for the sector with the numbers employed in the accommodation and food services sector (seasonally adjusted) increasing by 1,600. Tourism Minister Paschal Donohoe welcomed the positive data in respect of overseas tourism. ‘I am very pleased to see that our overseas visitors continue to grow. 2014 saw the fourth consecutive year of growth in visitor numbers. In fact, 2014 broke all previous records in terms of the number of overseas visits from key markets like North America, Germany, France and Spain. We have targeted further growth in 2015 and as part of the …

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No Shannon guarantee no deal, Minister hints

WHILE he didn’t go as far as saying that there is no prospect of a deal with IAG on Aer Lingus in the absence of guarantees for Shannon, Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe stressed that connectivity for the Mid-West will be a very important consideration, when he spoke to The Clare Champion. “We’re looking at all of the consequences that the proposed bid could have for connectivity. I’m very much aware of how important connectivity is for the Shannon region and how important Shannon Airport is. I have said throughout all of this that national connectivity and the particular impact on our regions will be vital if a bid comes in,” he said. There have been claims that even if guarantees for Shannon and Cork are built into an eventual agreement between the State and IAG, they will have no real legal standing. Asked if there are any precedents where guarantees have been given on future connectivity, the minister declined to …

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Shannon’s needs “well understood”-Transport Minister

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has said he is very aware of the importance of connectivity to Shannon Airport and to business in Clare. There have been fears that Shannon’s Heathrow links could be lost if the mooted IAG takeover of Aer Lingus goes through, and while the Minister didn’t explicitly rule out a deal which could see the Clare airport losing connectivity, he stressed that he is very aware of how important the link is, and said connectivity would be an important consideration in making a decision on any bid for the State’s 25.1% stake. In an interview with The Clare Champion, he said, “We’re looking at all of the consequences that the proposed bid could have for connectivity. I’m very much aware of how important connectivity is for the Shannon region and how important Shannon Airport is. I have said throughout all of this that national connectivity and the particular impact on our regions will be vital if a bid …

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Mid-West TDs unite to defend ‘Heathrow slots’

Following the announcements of recent approaches to Aer Lingus by IAG, the Irish Takeover Panel has deemed that Aer Lingus is now in an ‘offer period’, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Paschal Donohoe said on Tuesday evening. He was speaking in the Dáil in response to a joint submission by Deputies Michael McNamara, Timmy Dooley, Joe Carey and Kieran O’Donnell on the necessity to maintaining London Heathrow slots to ensure balanced development. “The Takeover Panel Rules in relation to communications apply to all parties during such an offer period and all parties, including the Government as shareholder, must apply the highest standards of care to any statements made on the matter. Specifically shareholders must take care in any of their communications to avoid revealing any information that could potentially impact either positively or negatively on the Aer Lingus share price,” Minister Donohoe said. Currently, no formal offer has been made to Aer Lingus’ shareholders. The minister said he wanted …

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Another historic day for Shannon

This Friday is a yet another red letter day in the history of Shannon Airport. The Shannon Group plc has  been formally established by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe. The new company will be a key conduit for growth across the West of Ireland and beyond, its chairman Rose Hynes stated. She said that the four strategic business units that make up the Shannon Group will co-exist within the group, elevating the business into a single entity of significant regional and national importance. The Shannon Group plc brings together: · Shannon Airport, the only airport on the Atlantic seaboard serving all three key markets – the US, UK and Europe – and which has already achieved significant growth following its establishment as an independent company in January 2013 · Shannon Commercial Enterprises Limited, trading as Shannon Commercial Properties, which includes the Shannon Free Zone and a significant property portfolio across the Shannon region · One of Ireland’s …

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Transport minister visits airport

Recently appointed Transport Minister,  Paschal Donohoe, made his first  official visit to Shannon Airport on Tuesday evening  where he was welcomed by chairman, Rose Hynes and CEO, Neil Pakey. The Minister was in Shannon as part of a day-long visit to Clare to launch Bus Éireann’s enhanced services to the Cliffs of Moher, Clare coast and the airport. Shannon Group Chairman Rose Hynes said, “We are very pleased to have been able to welcome Minister Donohoe to Shannon and brief him with regard to the progress we are making and the opportunities that lie ahead for Shannon. The minister was keen to hear about our plans and very much also recognises the key role it is already playing in the ongoing economic recovery of the region.” In welcoming  Minister Donohoe and  Bus Éireann CEO, Martin Nolan, Mr Pakey said, “We look forward to working with Minister Donohoe to ensure the momentum already achieved here since the airport achieved independence in January of last year is continued. We recognise the key role …

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