McNamara criticises delay in delivering second Clare NCT centre
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has criticised the “inordinate delay” in delivering a second NCT centre for County Clare.
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28% increase in numbers waiting for Driving Tests in Clare
The number of people waiting for driving tests in County Clare has increased by 28% in the six months to the end of February.
Read MoreMcNamara Seeks Early Engagement On Shannon Refugee Accommodation
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara says the Government must lift the “wall of silence” surrounding plans to refit a large industrial building for emergency accommodation for refugees at Shannon Business Park.
Read MoreShannon Airport
I questioned Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary about Shannon Airport and its potential for further growth.
Ibec Mid-West holds pre-Budget meeting
Ibec Mid-West Regional Executive Committee held a pre-Budget 2023 meeting at Edward Lifesciences in Limerick on Monday.
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Two new sites identified for proposed Shannon NCT centre
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has expressed his optimism that a proposed NCT centre for Shannon will be developed in the near future.
Read MoreRTÉ Drivetime – Greater balance in our aviation policy
Speaking to RTÉ Drivetime, I called for greater balance in our aviation policy and for the Government to intervene to bring that about.
Shannon NCT centre will not go ahead
A proposed second NCT centre for County Clare that was due open in Shannon will now not be developed.
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Shannon to Girona service postponed
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara, while welcoming Ryanair’s confirmation that the new service would go ahead in early May, said the cancellation of flights was unfair on passengers who were due to travel in less than two weeks’ time in some instances.
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McNamara seeks protection for Roadbridge subcontractors and suppliers
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has called for Government intervention to prevent the loss of hundreds of jobs amongst subcontractors and suppliers, in addition to those directly employed by Roadbridge, in the event that the company is liquidated.
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McNamara calls for refugee reception centre at Shannon Airport
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has urged Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to consider the establishment of a reception centre for refugees at Shannon Airport.
Read MoreTender for Shannon riverbank walk upgrade to be awarded shortly
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has expressed his hope that works will begin shortly on the upgrading of a section of the popular riverbank walk in Shannon town, which has become impassable in recent years.
Read MoreMcNamara seeks clarity over 180 at risk jobs in Lufthansa Technik Shannon Ltd
Clarification is needed on the future of all existing full-time jobs at Lufthansa Technik Shannon Ltd. as well as the retention of the two aviation hangars used by the Clare-based operation.
Following today’s announcement by Atlantic Aviation Group (AAG) that it has acquired Lufthansa Technik Shannon Ltd securing 300 highly skilled full-time workers in Shannon, there is concern for up to 180 jobs at the Clare-based operation.
The announcement is undoubtedly very positive news for AAG but the full impact of the acquisition on all 480 full-time employees and future operations at Lufthansa Technik Shannon Ltd. has yet to be outlined. I will be seeking more clarity on the issue from representatives of AAG and Lufthansa Technik Shannon Ltd. when I attend a briefing hosted by the companies tomorrow morning.
The employees of Lufthansa Technik Shannon Ltd. have played a key role in ensuring the future of the operation through their engagement with management and SIPTU over the past year. This included staff staggering work shifts with staff taking paid leave by availing of days built up over the years. While the majority of contract staff were released in the last year, particularly at the beginning of the pandemic, management at the company has continued to engage with worker’s representatives from SIPTU. Following on from today’s announcement, it is important now that clarity is provided on all full-time positions at the company.
Photo c/o Pat Flynn of The Clare Herald
New Shannon Group Chair
I asked the new Shannon Group Chair Pádraig Ó Céidigh about his plans for the future development of Shannon Airport, including ‘fifth freedom flights’, the Aer Lingus Heathrow slots, the use of antigen testing and his part-time position. My questions can be heard here.
New Ryanair routes for Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport is open for business. Ryanair has announced new routes to Birmingham, Budapest, Edinburgh, Fuerteventura, London Luton & Turin, regions from which we could seek to attract tourists.
Read MoreFunds sought for Shannon riverbank walk upgrade
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara says he is hopeful funding can be secured to upgrade a section of the popular riverbank walk in Shannon town, which has become impassable in recent months.
Read MoreAntigen testing and air travel
Given the establishment of another task force on Shannon and the failure to implement previous reports on aviation and on antigen testing, I asked the Taoiseach who’s running the country and for whose benefit.
Virgin Media News coverage of Lufthansa Technik
The pandemic has negatively affected the international aircraft servicing sector, but the challenges faced by companies in Ireland have been compounded by the Irish Government’s outlier aviation policies.
Aer Lingus cabin crew base at Shannon Airport
Aer Lingus workers’ representatives told me how Government measures, like those introduced across the EU, could have prevented the closure of the airline’s cabin crew base at Shannon Airport.
Aer Lingus to permanently close Shannon base
Disastrous news for Aer Lingus workers in Shannon Airport and the Mid-West region today. The pandemic has done huge damage to the aviation sector. The Irish government’s response to Covid has been unique in Europe at least, in making a bad situation worse.
McNamara seeks clarity on transatlantic air travel
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara has told Government that the proposed reopening of the Common Travel Area between Britain and Ireland must be accompanied by the resumption of transatlantic flights to and from Ireland.
Read MoreRecovery Plan for Irish Aviation Sector
140,000 workers in the Irish aviation sector cannot live on hope alone. An aviation recovery plan is urgently needed. I raised the matter with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar during Leader’s Questions today.
Derelict buildings in towns and villages
The Government must develop a nationwide strategy to bring derelict buildings in our towns and villages back into use.
Appointment of Shannon Group Chair
fter the fiasco appointing a new Chair of Shannon Group, the Government must urgently appoint someone with the experience to provide strategic direction to its aviation, tourism and property businesses.
Clare FM – Shannon Airport and Shannon Heritage
The incoming Chair of Shannon Group must immediately provide a strategy to develop Shannon Airport and aviation in the Midwest, as well as a strategy for the development of Shannon Heritage sites within or without the Group.
Shannon Airport, tourism and Shannon Heritage
I raised the future of Shannon Group, Shannon Airport, tourism in the region and Shannon Heritage with the Taoiseach and will continue to press him and his Government to deliver.
Funding for aviation sector
The short-term funding for airports announced by Government is welcome but more needs to be done given the state’s long-term reliance on aviation.
Testing and aviation policy changes required to salvage Shannon and Cork operations
Reacting to the news that Ryanair is to close its bases in Cork and Shannon for the winter, Independent TD Michael McNamara has said the Government needs to introduce a system of rapid testing at airports in the short term and must also develop a new State aviation policy to ensure international transit carriers do not fly exclusively into Dublin.
Read MoreRapid Turnaround Testing at Irish airports
I asked Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to provide an update on the progress made by Government on the introduction of a testing protocol at Irish airports and about what type of test system would be used.
Clare FM – Testing and aviation policy changes required to salvage Shannon and Cork operations
In response to the news that Ryanair is to close its bases in Cork Airport and Shannon Airport for the winter, I am requesting Government to introduce a system of rapid testing at airports in the short term and also develop a new State aviation policy to ensure international transit carriers do not fly exclusively into Dublin Airport.
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Shannon Airport post-Covid
Addressing Minister for Transport Shane Ross in the Dáil tonight, Clare T.D. Michael McNamara outlined some steps Shannon Airport needs to take to succeed post-COVID. He added, “Shannon’s success is vital for balanced regional development, but it needs a shot in the arm from Government.”