Finucane attacks Shannon Development

THE former chairman of the Public Accounts Committee yesterday accused Shannon Development of abandoning its industrial promotion policy by stealth and of failing to create jobs.

In an attack on the State agency, Senator Micheal Finucane of Fine Gael questioned whether Shannon Development had “lost its way in the area of industrial development”.

He said industrial units in Newcastle West owned by Shannon Development were now deployed for non-industrial purposes.

“These units were built to try and attract industry and create jobs. But Shannon Development has rented one to Limerick County Council where it has transferred its maintenance section from the old council yard in the town. This has not created one job as the council staff have just moved from another facility,” Senator Finucane said.

He said his fears have now been compounded by a planning application regarding a second industrial unit in the Industrial Park in Sheehan’s Road.

“It is proposed to turn this industrial unit into three retail outlets. There is a major policy shift in all of this as these buildings were built for the purpose of attracting new industrial jobs to Newcastle West,” Senator Finucane said.

He accused Shannon Development of going for the “soft option” of renting these buildings for non-industrial use rather than going out and finding industrial jobs for the town.

“With the county council and private retailers using these buildings, Shannon Development are saving money by not having to give out grants as they would have to do if there were industries in these units. While recognising that Shannon Development has made a positive contribution, I am beginning to wonder if the company has lost its way. If they are getting out of promoting industry for the region, they should say so,” Senator Finucane said.

“We have heard about hundreds of task forces being set up around the country. I haven’t heard anything from Shannon Development about what they are actually doing to try and get an alternative industry for this area,” he added.

A spokesman for Shannon Development said they have received planning permission to proceed with a 20-acre business park in Newcastle West and are working with West Limerick Resources on a number of job creation initiatives.