Breen Seeks Movement On Lynx Cargo Project

Wednesday, 15 September 2010 10:58

Written by Noel Cotter

Fine Gael’s Deputy Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Clare T.D. Pat Breen has said that the Lynx Cargo Project must now be prioritised if Shannon Airport is to develop as a Cargo Hub.

The Ballynacally T.D. was comemnting after a Private Meeting with the US Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney who visited County Clare last week.

He said: “Ambassador Rooney was delighted to be in County Clare as he is a strong supporter of Shannon Airport. He was very complimentary of the Airport and he values and recognises the important role that Shannon Airport has played down through the years in fostering our transatlantic relationship with the United States.”

“He is also very much aware of the challenges facing the Airport. One of the projects which we did discuss was the development of a Cargo Hub at Shannon Airport. Ambassador Rooney indicated his strong support for this development and is very interested in expanding the US Pre Clearance Facility at the Airport to include Cargo.”

“However, it is quite clear that the development of a Cargo Hub and the expansion of US Pre Clearance facilities to include freight hinges on the Lynx Cargo Project getting the go ahead. When the Lynxs Group signed a memorandum of agreement with the Shannon Airport Authority in March of 2009, they expected that the final stages of Construction would be in place in 2011. The Lynxs Group are investing moreof his visit to Ennis in the afternoon at which I raised a number of issues regarding Shannon Airport on behalf of a number of interest Groups in the Airport.”

“Ambassador Rooney was delighted to be in County Clare as he is a strong supporter of Shannon Airport. He was very complimentary of the Airport and he values and recognises the important role that Shannon Airport has played down through the years in fostering our transatlantic relationship with the United States.”

“He is also very much aware of the challenges facing the Airport. One of the projects which we did discuss was the development of a Cargo Hub at Shannon Airport. Ambassador Rooney indicated his strong support for this development and is very interested in expanding the US Pre Clearance Facility at the Airport to include Cargo.”

“However, it is quite clear that the development of a Cargo Hub and the expansion of US Pre Clearance facilities to include freight hinges on the Lynx Cargo Project getting the go ahead. When the Lynxs Group signed a memorandum of agreement with the Shannon Airport Authority in March of 2009, they expected that the final stages of Construction would be in place in 2011", he added.