Task force role for regeneration chairman

LIMERICK Regeneration chairman and former Dublin City manager, John Fitzgerald, is to chair one of the task forces being set up regarding Shannon’s future.
An announcement from Government on new interim structures at Shannon is believed to be imminent.
It is understood that the steering group on Shannon’s future will include a number of civil servants. There will also be two task forces, one dealing largely with developing aeronautical industries at Shannon and the other with change management.
The task force on aeronautical industry is set to be led by Clare woman Rose Hynes, while the other will be led by Mr Fitzgerald. These sub-committees will report to the steering group, which in turn will regularly report to a Cabinet sub-committee.
Mr Fitzgerald, 65, spent most of his career working in local government, holding the position of Dublin City manager from 1996 to 2006. He is currently chairman of Limerick’s Regeneration Agencies, An Post and the National Transport Authority. A native of Galbally, County Limerick, Mr Fitzgerald has lived in Dublin for much of his life.
Clare TD Pat Breen said some very capable people have been brought on board to assist with Shannon’s future development.
“I am particularly pleased that Clare woman Rose Hynes has been given a lead role, as she will be chairing the aeronautical sub-committee. A second sub-committee will focus on the airport’s operations and will be chaired by John Fitzgerald.
“The implementation group will be reporting back on a regular basis to the Cabinet sub-committee, which is chaired by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and includes Ministers Noonan, Varadkar and Bruton, among others.
“I am aware this group have already hit the ground running and I am confident they will come up with a formula that will ensure Shannon Airport’s fortunes are restored and that the airport’s enterprising spirit is allowed to flourish once again. I am looking forward to working with them to achieve this.”
Earlier this month, the Government announced the creation of a new entity, involving the airport and what is currently Shannon Development. Minister Leo Varadkar said a lot of progress should be made by the end of this year.
“We’d hope that the new company will be in place before the end of the year. One thing we’ll have to figure out is if legislation is required. As things stand at the moment, we don’t think legislation is required but if we find out that it is, it could cause delays but we’d certainly hope to have an interim body up and running by the end of the year.”