Shannon cargo facility vital

THE Government is being urged to support the development of the proposed Lynx cargo facility at Shannon Airport.
Deputy Carey said if the facility went ahead, it would be of great benefit to the Mid-West.
“The potential benefits of developing the Lynx international cargo facility at Shannon are endless. We are now at a critical juncture as rising unemployment and the loss of inward investment means action is needed urgently. The addition of an international cargo hub would secure the future of Shannon Airport and attract much-needed business to this region.
“In order to make this a reality, Government must put their shoulder to the wheel and drive this project until it becomes a reality.
Denis Brosnan, chairman of the Mid-West Taskforce, outlined how beneficial this project could be.
“The €7 million investment required from Government would copper fasten the deal with Lynx and would be money well spent as it will create and sustain jobs into the future. Yet there is a total lack of urgency shown by Government towards this project.”
He said there was a lack of urgency about getting the facility into place. “The Government needs to drive this project from a financial standpoint and in terms of clearing the red tape associated with it. Minister Willie O’Dea said that a decision regarding the project is imminent.
“Yet this is the same minister who has reneged on commitments given towards Limerick regeneration. We cannot allow opportunities for business in the Mid-West to fall by the wayside as a result of Government inaction.
“Again, when I raised this matter in Dáil Éireann last week, Minister Dara Calleary gave a less than impressive answer about the need for talks and so on.
“There has been enough talk about this project. We now need to see the investment required from Government. The Lynx cargo facility represents a viable way forward for the development of a major international hub at Shannon. Action is needed immediately to make this a reality.”