Ministers of State pledge support for Shannon humanitarian hub

THE development of a new multi-million euro global logistic centre for European Union humanitarian aid in Shannon Airport will be prioritised by two new Labour Ministers of State, it emerged this week.

Minister of State for Trade and Development including Overseas Aid, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan has revealed she discussed this plan with the director general in her department at one of her first meetings with senior officials on Monday.
She is being supported by the new Minister for State for Public and Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly, who stated he has already discussed the issue with Deputy O’Sullivan with a view to progressing the hub as quickly as possible.
While the proposal is still at an early stage, Deputy O’Sullivan said she is determined to do everything possible to assess the feasibility of this project, which would be a huge boost to the airport if it comes to fruition.
A few weeks ago, Labour leader, Eamon Gilmore pledged that Labour would examine a number of ways to attract new business and increase passenger numbers at the airport if they formed part of the next Government.
“As part of the Lisbon Treaty, the EU has appointed a permanent foreign affairs representative and one of the new competencies is for development aid. Ireland has huge expertise in the area of emergency and development aid and Shannon Airport can play a key role in how this aid is distributed,” he said.
Deputy O’Sullivan said she had been informed that most of the humanitarian aid is stored in Malaysia and saw no reason why Shannon Airport couldn’t become the new hub for the distribution of emergency food and medical supplies following a global emergency.
The deputy said she would discuss this plan with Shannon Airport chief executive Mary Considine to assess its feasibility.
“I believe this plan would create a lot of new opportunities for Shannon Airport. This was one of the first issues I raised with the director general. The provision of a humanitarian aid hub in Shannon Airport would generate a lot of additional cargo traffic to and from the airport, which would in turn benefit the region.
“I am also keen to develop the Lynx Cargo project, which would also result in increased business for Shannon Airport. I will be liasing with other departments to establish what way the relevant departments can work together to progress projects like this, which are of mutual interest and benefit,” she said.
IDA regional manager Seán Denvir has described the extension of US preclearance facilities to freight in Shannon Airport as an exciting opportunity for new business opportunities in the region, provided the US Department of Homeland Security could be persuaded this would not increase the risk of a terrorist attack.
Deputy O’Sullivan acknowledged that a big diplomatic effort is needed to assure the US it is safe to extend preclearance to cargo in Shannon.
Hillary Clinton’s economic envoy to the Northern Ireland is Declan Kelly, a brother of new North Tipperary Deputy, Alan Kelly.
Asked if he could use his family connections to progress this matter with Hillary Clinton, Deputy Kelly said he didn’t speak on behalf of anyone but himself, adding that he would do everything he could to promote the expansion of the airport.
“I am a huge supporter of Shannon Airport and will do everything I can to develop facilities at the airport. Shannon Airport is hugely important for the economic development of the region. I will support any project that is reasonable and beneficial for the airport.
“I have a very good working relationship with Deputy O’Sullivan and we will be working closely together on projects such as the humanitarian hub,” he said.
Asked if the Dublin Airport Authority and Ryanair could be brought together to sort out their differences in relation to new flights at the airport, he said the Government would be looking at all avenues to try improve access and new routes at the airport.
He added the Government would be taking a fresh look at all the issues to see what way the introduction of new flights and ways to increase passenger numbers could be achieved.