IDA Ireland has welcomed the completion of the Stratetic Integrated Framework Plan (SIFP) for the Shannon Estuary, aimed at promoting investment and development opportunities.
IDA’s Regional Manager for the Mid West, Niall O’Callaghan welcomed the culmination of the project which he was involved with on behalf of the agency and said: “Bringing all stakeholders along the Estuary together to work on a coordinated approach to market six strategic sites is a significant step in the Estuary’s future development.”
The Shannon Estuary is Ireland’s premier deep-water port, routinely catering for bulk ships with key ports at Limerick and Foynes and direct connectivity to all major international shipping lanes. It is home to a number of large employers, including IDA-backed Aughinish Alumina.
The project was launched in late 2013 and was developed with input from a cross sectoral working group, namely Clare, Kerry and Limerick City & County Councils, IDA Ireland, Shannon Commercial Properties and the Shannon Foynes Port Company.
The project culminated in the working group producing a marketing brochure that details deep water marine investment opportunities at six strategic development locations deemed appropriate for marine-related investment. The brochure is being distributed to potential investors around the world. A dedicated new website www.shannonestuary.ie has been launched in tandem with the brochure.
Mr. O’Callaghan added: “The ethos of this project is very much aligned with IDA Ireland’s Regional Strategy in the Mid West through the Action Plan for jobs. The full potential of the SIFP however can only be achieved with a coordinated delivery of infrastructure to support the six strategic sites that have been identified.”
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.