Shannon Chamber to maintain lobby on issues impacting Clare region as new Government is formed

Shannon Chamber is looking forward to linking in with the newly appointed Ministers of Departments responsible for implementing government policies, impacting its member companies.

Having made a submission to the Programme for Government, summarising issues already brought to the attention of the previous Government and local Oireachtas members, Chamber CEO, Helen Downes, said that these issues will be kept on the table for discussion with members of the new Government.

Ms Downes said, “A key objective in our Strategic Plan 2023 – 2026 is to be the voice and lobbyist for business. This involves us making submissions to Government on issues of regional and national importance, on our own volition and/or in partnership with Chambers Ireland and relevant organisations in our sphere of influence,

“Initiating and influencing change that positively adjusts the conditions for business and the environment in which our 340 member companies operate is a priority function of the Chamber. We are noted for adopting a proactive approach to keeping key issues that impact our members and the region to the fore, and we will maintain this position during the lifetime of the Government,” the CEO added.

Among Shannon Chambers’ requests for inclusion in the Programme for Government were:

• The continuation of URDF funding, to enable the implementation of the Shannon Town Centre Masterplan
• A review of the national aviation policy, and the permanent inclusion of Shannon Airport in the Regional Airports Programme
• A commitment to capitalising on the potential that Ireland’s west coast offers for the development of a floating offshore wind sector
• A review of General Work Permit salary thresholds

Expanding on these issues, Ms Downes stated, “We were most disappointed to discover, in the latter part of the 2024, that URDF funding, which was earmarked by Clare County Council as the funding source for the delivery of phase one of the Plan – the OneShannonHub – was almost exhausted and that no provision for renewing it was made in Budget 2025, was a huge disappointment,

“The Chamber board, executive, and members expended a lot of energy inputting to all phases of the plan’s development, and it is critical that Government commits to its implementation. Having maintained a lobby in this regard in 2024, we look forward to renewing our call to Government for URDF funding, or some fund, to be made available to Clare County Council to deliver the plan. This would demonstrate a commitment to enhancing Shannon’s infrastructure, recognising the contribution it makes to the national economy. The idea that yet another plan for Shannon may not be delivered simply cannot be allowed to happen,” she concluded.

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Having repeatedly stressed the need for balanced regional development, Shannon Chamber believes that a review of national aviation policy is essential to achieving the vision and ambitions of Project Ireland 2040 and the National Planning Framework (NPF) of ensuring an equitable distribution of economic growth in Ireland.

The Chamber CEO continued, “A policy environment that promotes regional air traffic distribution through the development of policies that encourage a more even distribution of air traffic into the regions, is needed. Policy must mitigate the current risk associated with one state airport accommodating 86% of traffic and address the challenges and risks associated with relying heavily on a single airport. Relying on a single airport and failing to fully utilise and maximise the current potential of Shannon Airport, which can accommodate an additional three million passengers now, is a significant oversight,

“Government must develop a new national aviation policy prioritising the sustainable growth across all state airports, by fully utilising airport capacity in the regions thus supporting a more balanced national economy. A new policy must explicitly align with Project Ireland 2040’s commitment to promoting balanced regional development.

“Shannon Airport should also be included in the Regional Airports Programme by raising the threshold to 3 million passengers ensuring equitable support for all of Ireland's regional airports,” Ms Downes added.

Referring to the development of a floating offshore wind sector off Ireland’s west coast, Ms Downes said that the Chamber will continue to reiterate its point that the west coast, which experiences some of the strongest and most consistent wind speeds in Europe, due to its exposure to the Atlantic Ocean, presents the ideal environment for harnessing wind energy. 

Along with this, companies have had to extend their recruitment search outside the EEA to fill skill gaps, utilising the employment permits system to access a talent pipeline to enable them to remain sustainable and competitive. Shannon Chamber was concerned that a change in the salary threshold for work permit holders will impact business viability.

In a recent submission to Government, the Chamber has requested that full consultation be held with key sectors using employment permits and industry representative organisations prior to finalising a decision on this issue.

“Now that the new Government has been formed and Ministerial positions are assigned, Shannon Chamber will maintain its advocacy on each of the issues raised in our Programme for Government submission with the relevant portfolio Ministers,” Ms Downes concluded.