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Pictured at Shannon Airport ahead of the first meeting of the new Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group are L-R Senator Louis O’Hara, Minister of State at the Department of Health and at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Kieran O’Donnell TD, Senator Anne Rabbitte, Joe Cooney TD, Senator Maria Byrne, Ryan O’Meara TD, Rachael Leahy , Company Secretary and Head of Legal for The Shannon Airport Group, Cathal Crowe TD and Chair of The Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group, Mary Considine, CEO The Shannon Airport Group, Caroline Kelleher, Director of Public Affairs, The Shannon Airport Group, Senator Dee Ryan, Timmy Dooley TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Donna McGettigan TD, Conor Sheehan TD, Maurice Quinlivan TD and Richard O’Donoghue TD. Pic Arthur Ellis
(IN SHORT) Shannon Airport Group CEO Mary Considine described the first meeting of the re-established Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group as “positive,” following a productive gathering of 24 cross-party representatives from Clare, Limerick, Galway, and Tipperary. The group, chaired by Cathal Crowe TD, reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Shannon Airport’s role in national policy and regional development. Key priorities include a review of Ireland’s National Aviation Policy, securing permanent inclusion of Shannon in the Regional Airports Programme, and strengthening public transport links. Both leaders emphasised the airport’s strategic importance for tourism, business travel, and connectivity.
(PRESS RELEASE) SHANNON, Ireland, 2025-Apr-14 — /Travel PR News/ — Shannon Airport today hosted the inaugural meeting of the re-established Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group, with cross-party political leaders gathering in support of the airport’s strategic future. The Shannon Airport Group’s CEO, Mary Considine, described the engagement as “positive,” highlighting strong political alignment around the airport’s importance to Ireland’s national infrastructure.
“We were pleased to welcome Oireachtas members who understand the critical role Shannon Airport plays in supporting the business community, international tourism, and cargo operations,” said Ms Considine. “In a globalised economy, connectivity and resilience matter more than ever. Strengthening our regional airports like Shannon is a necessary step in reducing over-reliance on a single hub.”
The cross-party group, chaired by Cathal Crowe TD, comprises 24 representatives from Clare, Limerick, Galway, and Tipperary, cutting across political divides including Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, Labour, Independents, and Independent Ireland.
Commenting on the group’s vision, Mr Crowe stated:
“We are firmly committed to championing Shannon Airport at every level. Its strategic importance demands that we review and reform national aviation policies to better reflect the role of regional airports in driving balanced national development. Our immediate priority is to advocate for an urgent review of Ireland’s National Aviation Policy and to ensure continued support for Shannon through the Regional Airports Programme.”
Ms Considine echoed this call for policy evolution and ongoing investment:
“We deeply value the political support expressed today. A revised National Aviation Policy must view Ireland’s airport network as a collective asset, not one concentrated in a single region. Shannon’s inclusion in the Regional Airports Programme must be made permanent to ensure stability and long-term planning. Additionally, direct public transport links—both rail and bus—must be improved, and Tourism Ireland’s Regional Co-operative Marketing Support Scheme needs expanded funding to support sustainable tourism in the West and Mid-West.”
The newly convened Oireachtas group is expected to become an important advocacy platform for Shannon, working to secure stronger government policy, greater investment, and increased recognition of the airport’s role in regional resilience and Ireland’s national connectivity.
Media contact:
communications@snnairportgroup.ie.
SOURCE: The Shannon Airport Group
