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.