Shannon must keep its dual gateway status

CONGRESSMAN Christopher Smith recently launched a bill — the dual gateway policy review — in the US Congress calling on the administration immediately to initiate an economic impact study on the effects of any downgrading of Shannon’s dual gateway status.

Simultaneously, Clare TD James Breen in the Dáil, and I in the European Parliament, have joined the congressman in calling for an economic impact study before any decisions are taken affecting the status of the airport.

Following meetings with US and EU negotiators I invited Congressman Smith to visit the west of Ireland. Recently he and I met with key players from Donegal to Limerick.

All were determined that Shannon’s dual gateway status should not be downgraded without first examining the implications for the western region.

Balanced regional development can only be achieved by maintaining Shannon as the lifeline of the west.

Congressman Smith’s address to the US Congress emphasises the vital gateway that Shannon has been to the US for the last six decades. It is time to invest in this vital gateway to business in western Ireland.

Dana Rosemary Scallon MEP,

6, Colonial Buildings,

Eglinton Street,

Galway.