Swift moves to replace Ó Céidigh, but questions remain

AFTER Rose Hynes’ time as chair of Shannon Group concluded it took more than a year for the Minister for Transport to put in place a replacement, but following her successor Pádraig Ó Céidigh’s resignation last Wednesday, it took a mere six days.

On the positive side, the new appointment Conal Henry has experience in aviation having been commercial director at Ryanair, while the fact he has had involvement with the Shannon Foynes Port Company indicates some knowledge of this region. However the fact that someone with the depth of experience and knowledge as Pádraig Ó Céidigh resigned in frustration after less than six months in the role is something that has alarmed many people and leaves serious questions.

Some will undoubtedly see the very speedy appointment of a replacement as a move designed to limit the controversy resulting from such a high profile resignation, particularly as the Government moved so slowly prior to the appointment of Mr Ó Céidigh.

In a statement this morning Clare TD Joe Carey welcomed Mr Henry’s appointment, but also said there should be an investigation into recent happenings at the Group. “He (Mr Henry) will be taking up the position at an important juncture for the Shannon Group in term of rebuilding passenger traffic, routes and destinations in a post pandemic world. He will also be responsible for building on the transformational work in the Shannon Free Zone by securing further investments and overseeing the transfer of Shannon Heritage sites.

“I believe it’s timely that a full review of the Shannon Group structures is undertaken now given the loss of two chief executives and two Chairpersons in such a short time. This review should take no longer than three months and be undertaken by a professional organisation who are at arm’s length from the Group.

“Such a report should be presented to the Minister and Department and the recommendations acted upon in a speedy manner. We need to understand why the Shannon Group has lost such good people and learn from these setbacks in the interest of the Airport and the Regions it serves,” said the Clarecastle man.

A Clare woman herself, Rose Hynes was chair of the board of Shannon Group from its establishment at the start of 2013, until August of 2020. In February of 2021 an intention to appoint businessman Aaron Forde was revealed, but that did not come to pass as a series of problematic tweets he had written emerged. Then in late September of last year Mr Ó Céidigh was finally appointed, to very broad approval in Clare.

At this stage Mr Henry would be far less well known in Clare than either Ms Hynes or Mr Ó Céidigh and there will be much curiosity about him and his vision for Shannon Group.