Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2024
50. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will establish a taskforce to examine all transportation options, both current and future, to and from Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28276/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for their question and note the importance of Shannon Airport in supporting Ireland’s overall connectivity. Our ability as a country to attract, and to retain, foreign direct investment is dependent on this international connectivity. Such connectivity also facilitates trade and is a significant enabler of our tourism industry, with an estimated 90% of our tourists arriving by air.
Shannon Airport has had a very strong recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Passenger numbers at the airport in 2023 were at their highest since 2009, and this strong performance has continued to date in 2024.
While my Department does not have any current plans to establish a taskforce in line with what the Deputy has described, I wish to assure the Deputy that work is ongoing to improve transport links around Shannon Airport, with further planning underway for possible improvements into the future.
Public Transport
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local Link services and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
The National Transport Authority (NTA), in partnership with Bus Éireann and TFI Local Link Limerick Clare, is proposing to improve Route 343, which would bring improvements in access to Shannon Airport. This enhancement is part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative developed and funded by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network.
The purpose of the amendment is to:
• Improve the public transport service between Limerick, Shannon and Ennis, as well as other intermediate places such as Sixmilebridge, Quin and Kilmurry.
• Make services more frequent, more reliable, and easier to understand and use.
• Improve access to Shannon Airport, with a new 24/7 service between the Airport, Shannon Town and Limerick.
• The NTA intends to implement these revised routes and services by the end of this year.
The NTA intends to re-shape the current Route 343 by splitting it into four separate routes as follows:
• New Route 343 will run between Limerick and Shannon (Town, Free Zone & Shannon Airport) and will be operated by Bus Éireann.
• New Route 330 will run between Ennis and Shannon (Town, industrial zones & Shannon Airport) and will be operated by Bus Éireann.
• New Route 316 will run between Sixmilebridge and Shannon (Town, industrial zones & Shannon Airport) and will be operated by Bus Éireann.
• New Route 317 will run between the Jetland Shopping Centre (Limerick) and Ennis via Sixmilebridge and will be operated by TFI Local Link Limerick Clare.
The revised network will result in a higher frequency between Shannon and Limerick; a high-frequency, simple common bus corridor between Shannon Town, its industrial areas, and Shannon airport; and more departures to Ennis, Sixmilebridge, Kilmurry, Cratloe and Quin.
The consultation, which closed on 9 May 2024, ran for 3 weeks.
Roads
The N19 Shannon Airport Access Road Improvement Scheme is funded under TII’s Minors Programme. The scheme aims to improve the road between Drumgeely Roundabout and Knockbeagh Point Roundabout on the approach to the airport, including improved provision for public transport and active travel. €500,000 was allocated for this scheme in 2024, with work continuing on Design and Environmental Evaluation.
In 2024, Clare County Council received an initial allocation of €43,594,200 for the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads. On 31st May 2024, I announced additional funding of €30 million to local authorities through Restoration Improvement (RI) Grants following persistent rainfall over winter and spring. Of this funding, Clare County Council received an additional Supplementary RI allocation of €1,296,500.
Future Development
The All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken by my Department, in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The Review will inform the development of rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net zero targets in both jurisdictions. Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft Report was published for a Strategic Environmental Assessment, or SEA, public consultation in July of last year.
The draft Report makes 30 strategic recommendations to enhance the rail system across the island up to 2050, including recommendations around improving the rail connectivity of Shannon Airport with its surrounding area, and other airports on the island of Ireland.
The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September 2023 and submissions have been reviewed by officials from both Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is expected that a Review report, taking account of the comments raised in the consultation, will be submitted for Government shortly and that the final Review will be published by the end of the Summer.
Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy
The Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, which includes plans to improve transport links with Shannon Airport, was prepared by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, with the cooperation of Iarnród Éireann.
Noting the NTA's role in the development of the strategy, and in the management and operation of TFI Local Link Services and Connecting Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
