‘Once in a generation’opportunity for Limerick

As one plan to transform Limerick City got its baptism yesterday, another framework with a vision for the Shannon Estuary gave birth to its first big investment at the port of Foynes.

The Limerick 2030 plan is being hailed as a “once in a generation” opportunity to breathe new life into the city, invigorating the capital of the Mid-West.

Its development carries a price tag of €250m with the potential to deliver 5,000 jobs.

Hours before the launch of the Limerick 2030 Plan, the Shannon Foynes Port Company announced 142 jobs for the port of Foynes with the opening of a €20m smokeless fuels production facility in 2015.

It is the first success in a plan set out last February to grow shipping business on the Shannon Estuary, creating more than 3,000 jobs over the next 20 years.

At the launch of the Limerick (City) 2030 Plan, in the Strand Hotel, Limerick city/county manager, Conn Murray said: “This is a once in a generation plan to guide the economic, social and physical renaissance of Limerick City centre, the wider Co Limerick and the Mid-West. The plan will allow us to work together to bring much-needed investment to Limerick, to revitalise the city centre and to project a positive image giving confidence to investors, businesses and the local community.

“It provides, perhaps for the first time, a holistic perspective on Limerick’s future. And it is timely as we move towards a full merger of Limerick city and county councils next year.”

Limerick City has been in serious decline over the past five years due to the so-called ‘doughnut effect’ with shoppers opting for suburban malls rather than the city centre.

The new plan has three main strategies: economic, spatial and marketing.

Key objectives include creating an city centre third-level satellite campus for students attending UL, LIT and Mary Immaculate College; an iconic water front building; a city centre plaza, redevelopment of O’Connell Street, Catherine Street and Henry Street and restoration of the city’s Georgian Quarter.

Maria Kelly, chief executive Limerick Chamber of Commerce said the launch of the Limerick 2030 Plan marked a turning point for the city.

She said: “We now have a vision of the way forward up to 2030, which we never had before. We never had this kind of united vision getting everybody behind it.

“We will now get into a consultation process and give feedback. Up to now there has been too narrow a focus on how we should move ahead with the city centre which has one of the finest assets any city in Europe could have, the River Shannon.”

Mr Noonan said, as Minister for Finance the entire project had his complete backing and support.

He said: “This plan will not gather dust. It will not even get onto the shelf to gather dust and has already got off the ground and is being implemented.”

Meanwhile, the major strategy plan launched last February by the Shannon Foynes Port Company for the Shannon Estuary heralded its first significant crop of jobs.

British bio fuel company CPL Industries announced it is pressing ahead with the construction of a plant at Foynes port for the production of smokeless fuels.

It will employ 142 when it commences production in 2015.

CPL chief executive Tim Minett said Foynes has presented them with the ideal facilities for the new development.

He said: “Ireland is the first country in Europe to move towards a ban on the sale of smoky coal. This initiative spearheaded by Environment Minister, Phil Hogan, has given us the impetus to take the decision to develop this facility at Foynes.”

Mr Hogan said it was still his aim to ban nationwide the sale of smoky fuels by 2016.

Michael Collins, chairman of Shannon Foynes Port Company said the CPL Industries was a first step in their plan for the ports on the estuary over the next 20 to 25 years.