Minutes of Special Meeting of Ennis Town Council held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 8th August 2007 in the Council Chamber, Waterpark House, Drumbiggle, Ennis
Presiding: Mayor T. Brennan
Councillors Present:
- F. Neylon
- J. Reidy
- T. Matthew
- T. Glynn
- M. Coote Ryan
- P. Considine
Officials Present:
- T. Tiernan, Acting Director of Service.
- Marion Keane, Staff Officer.
Apologies:
- Cllrs. J. Flynn
- D. O'Bearra
Cllr. T. Brennan welcomed all those attending this Special Meeting which he called to discuss action to be taken by Ennis Town Council on the decision of Aer Lingus this week to transfer its London Heathrow service from Shannon to Belfast. He described the Aer Lingus decision as devastating to the people of the Mid West Region and one which would have serious consequences for employment, industry, and tourism in the West of Ireland. He stated that the Council should seek immediate clarification from the Minister for Transport on what he intends to do to reinstate the four slots from Shannon to Heathrow.
Cllr. T. Glynn stated that Aer Lingus had an obligation to its customers and given that the Shannon Heathrow route was a profitable one carrying over 350,000 passengers annually, Aer Lingus should be asked to explain why this decision was taken and how they can justify the decision.
Cllr. T. Matthew expressed his concern with the decision and added that every person in the Mid West should be invited to protest to the Taoiseach. He emphasised the consequences for the region, particularly for industries depending on the facility, the job losses and the devastation for the area. The Council should take a serious approach to the situation.
Cllr. F. Neylon was critical of the Aer Lingus decision and the approach taken to transfer the service to Belfast when it was not known whether or not the move would be a profitable one. He criticised the timing of the announcement which was made on the Bank holiday weekend. He expressed concern on the implications the transfer of the service would have on the Region and fully supported a call to have the Aer Lingus decision reversed. He proposed a united protest on the campaign.
Cllr. J. Reidy stated that it was a black weekend for the County and Region and the number of businesses affected by the decision was putting the whole region in turmoil. He was concerned that the decision to transfer the service from Shannon to Belfast was based on projections rather than facts. He added that Aer Lingus, The Minister for Transport and the Taoiseach should be contacted and that the Government should take leadership and reach a fruitful conclusion. He supported a united approach to the protest.
Cllr. M. Coote Ryan stated that we should let the people know that the Town Council will fully support them in any way they can in their efforts to get Aer Lingus to reverse their decision and get the Shannon/Heathrow service back on route. She was at a loss to understand why they took this decision when the service was a profit making one. She suggested that everyone should pull together to get the decision reversed.
Cllr. P. Considine stated that he was actively involved in the Action Committee which has been set up in Shannon and invited the Mayor of Ennis together with the Chambers of Commerce for Clare and Limerick to attend their meeting in Shannon on Friday morning, l0th August, to present a strong presence and to call on everybody to support the campaign to prevent closure of the service on l4th January, 2008. He added that Unions and Business interests are already campaigning at the highest level and that Companies in Shannon have indicated that they will have to consider their position in the County for future investment. He added that the Local Authorities have a role and input on the issue and that the Clare County Manager had activated the County Managers of other Counties in the region to bring West of Ireland Local Authorities and bodies together to support a reversal of the decision.
The members thanked the Mayor for convening this very important meeting.
The Council were united in their feelings that the Aer Lingus decision to transfer its London Heathrow service from Shannon to Belfast will be a disastrous blow to industry, employment and tourism in the County and to the whole Mid West Region, and that they would present a unified voice in endeavouring to have the decision reversed. They agreed to focus all support in a united approach through the Shannon Action Committee.
The Council unanimously agreed to formally write to the Shannon Action Committee offering the full support of the Town Council.
The Council also unanimously agreed to write to the Minister for Transport, An Taoiseach, and Aer Lingus criticising the decision and to seek a reversal of the Aer Lingus decision.
Cllr. T. Brennan thanked the members for their support. He invited all members to attend the Corporate Policy Group Meeting which will be held on Saturday, 11th August 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in the County Museum.
The meeting concluded.
Méara Bhaile na hInse
Town Clerk.