ALMOST a year after Rose Hynes’ tenure concluded, there is still no chairperson of the board of Shannon Group, but a shortlist for the position has been finalised.
In a statement this week the Department of Transport said that the Public Appointments Service has carried out its work, and that Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan is considering the names that it has given him.
“The Public Appointments Service (PAS) recently concluded the selection process for the position of Chairperson of the Board of Shannon Group. The Minister is conscious that this is an important and challenging time for Shannon Group. Accordingly, the Minister intends to appoint a new Chairperson to this key position as soon as possible, following due consideration of the candidate shortlist.”
Local politicians had expected that the vacancy would be filled a month ago, before the Dáil concluded for the summer, but that never happened.
It is almost six months since the appointment of businessman Aaron Forde fell through, with various statements he made on Twitter meaning he never took up the role which would have been his.
Aviation has been one of the sectors most affected by the pandemic, and the failure to make an appointment has prompted a significant amount of criticism in recent months.
Speaking recently on the matter, Clare TD Cathal Crowe said, ” I’m very frustrated that it has taken this long. I was one of a number of TDs who asked Minister Eamon Ryan to slow things down ever so slightly, I actually asked him to delay things by about a month so there could be a proper appraisal of all candidates putting themselves forward.
“We now have a far longer delay and it’s now the airport needs someone at the helm. We have the digital Covid cert, we have Ryanair flying in and out, but we need someone to really grasp the nettle and bring Shannon on. I’ve made that point repeatedly to Minister Eamon Ryan. A lack of leadership for the airport will ensure it remains in the doldrums.”
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.