Limerick Chamber

Lobbying Organisation Limerick Chamber

Date published 21 Jan, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Economic Development and Industry

Period 1 Sep, 2020 to 31 Dec, 2020

Specific Details Urgent meeting on crisis at Shannon airport

Intended results 1) highlight critical importance of regional connectivity through Shannon airport to the over 1,300 members organisations, who support more than 105,000 jobs across the Mid West and West as represented by Limerick Chamber, Ennis Chamber, Shannon Chamber and Galway Chamber. 2) urge the Minister to develop support packages for main carriers into the country Aer Lingus and Ryanair, as has been done in other EU states, and to attach conditions around carbon emission reduction targets and regional route restoration together with further regional route development 3) request for Shannon group to be allowed to cross-subsidise route development with airlines and cargo operations development within the airport using funds generated in other areas of the group 4) seek the earliest appoint of a Chair to Shannon Group 5) seek that national aviation policy be aligned with stated goals of Project Ireland 2040, namely the promotion of balanced regional development, recognising that direct business routes into strategic destinations is critical for growing industry clusters in regional cities.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Dee Ryan and Dr Catriona Cahill accompanied by president of Limerick Chamber and the CEOs & Presidents of Galway, Shannon and Ennis Chambers

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

Letter to Ministers Ryan and Naughton outlining proposed urgent measures in support of Shannon Airport was issued on 8th September.

Virtual Meeting (1)

Meeting held with Minister Ryan and Minster Naughton on Monday 14th September. Followed by release of joint statement on behalf of Chambers to local media in Limerick, Clare and Galway www.limerickchamber.ie/joint-chambers-meet-with-ministers-ryan-and-naughton-on-shannon-airport/

Email (1)

Email advising constiuency TD's of communications with Minister Ryan and Naughton, including a copy of letter to Ministers outlining proposed measures in support of Shannon airport, was circulated to TD's in Limerick, Clare and Galway.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Hildegarde Naughton Super Junior Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)

Eamon Ryan Minister (Department of Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport)

Kieran O'Donnell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Carey TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Willie O'Dea TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Maurice Quinlivan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Patrick O'Donovan Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Niall Collins Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science)

Richard O'Donoghue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Gavan Senator (Seanad)

Alan Kelly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Lowry TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mattie McGrath TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Timmy Dooley Senator (Seanad)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Róisín Garvey Senator (Seanad)

Pauline O'Reilly Senator (Seanad)