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Transport Minister Leo Varadkar and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton have announced that Shannon Airport is to be separated from the Dublin Airport Authority and brought together with Shannon Development to form a new entity with a commercial mandate in public ownership.

This decision represents a new beginning for the Shannon region, involving a drive to develop a world-class aviation industry in Shannon, and a restructuring of tourism and enterprise support agencies in the region to support this goal.

The changes will mean that indigenous and foreign businesses in the region will have direct access to the comprehensive range of supports from the State enterprise agencies, as well as to a dynamic international Airport with extensive property holdings.

As part of the reorganisation of State agencies - and with a view to the delivery of coherent and integrated services to the region - the tourism functions of Shannon Development, including Regional Tourism Offices, will transfer to Fáilte Ireland. This new entity will continue to support the property needs of IDA/EI clients in the area.

Minister Varadkar said:

I firmly believe that this is the best way forward for both Shannon Airport, Shannon Development and the Mid- West region. We want to recapture the pioneering spirit of the people who gave us the airport and the Shannon Free Zone concept, so that we can provide exciting and innovative opportunities which benefit business, tourism, and job creation in the region, and across the country. Our task now is to develop these proposals in more detail.

Minister Bruton stated:

This announcement represents a new start for jobs and enterprise in the Shannon region. In developing our proposals, we were always focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for enterprise development and job-creation in the region... Today’s announcement is an important start, but more work remains to be done to deliver on the potential of this proposal and we will press forward immediately with the necessary work. I am convinced that with the right commitment from Government and hard work from all stakeholders, we can create new businesses, new jobs and a new future for the Shannon region.

Minister Bruton spoke to MerrionStreet.ie about the Governments plans earlier today: