The decision by the DAA and the Government to release the funding necessary for the Lynx Cargo hub is a vote of confidence not just in Shannon but in the potential that exists across the whole of the Mid-West region.
With the opening up of US borders and customs pre-clearance for passangers, the time is now right to incorporate full cargo pre-clearance at Shannon Airport with the addition of the Lynx Cargo facility and help Shannon become a major transport hub.
The idea behind this is nothing new, as Government agencies in the region have been calling for this repeatedly over the past decade.
The proposed Lynx Cargo project presents a massive opportunity for growth and jobs creation. The investment which will be provided by the DAA to make this facility a reality is not overbearing when compared to the jobs and financial returns expected.
When I asked the previous Taoiseach Brian Cowen in Dáil Éireann about funding for this project last year (see below), he kicked the issue to touch and failed I believe to fully grasp the potential that exists in the Mid-West for international cargo.
I want to congratulate the Management in Shannon Airport who have driven this project to this stage. I also want to compliment my Government colleague Minister Leo Varadkar for his insistance that the DAA would direct funding towards the project at a time when funding is tight across all Government departments and agencies.
I will be pressing for negotiations to be completed in a timely fashion so that this project can move to construction phase as soon as is possible.
Below is a selection of times when I have raised this issue in Dáil Éireann in recent years:
Wednesday February 17th, 2010
See below extract from the Order of Business-
Deputy Joe Carey:
“The Government is putting forward the view that EU competition legislation is the reason for theLynx cargo project delay at Shannon Airport. Has the Taoiseach, the Tánaisteor the Minister for Transport discussed this at EU level to progress theproject forward? Is legislation required?
An Taoiseach Brian Cowen:
“No pre-clearancefacilities that go beyond aircraft passengers to include cargo pre-clearanceare being used by the United States at present. Seeing how the present pre-clearance arrangements work will be a factor in any consideration that might be given to any widening of them. There are many issues that would be involvedso instead of raising or dampening expectations, we must allow the present facility, which is working well, to gain confidence. We can then see where other possibilities might go.
Dáil Question
No: ___190____
*To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the development of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Joe Carey.
* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 10th November, 2010.
Shannon Airport is the first airport in the world, outside of the Americas, to offer Full US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facilities to airlines travelling to the USA. What progress has been made with American Authorities to extend this facility to cater for Cargo preclearance.
Ref No: 41847/10
– Answered by the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, T.D.
REPLY
The position with cargo preclearance is that the Ireland-U.S. Pre clearance Agreement signed in November 2008, does not provide for the preclearance of cargo. However, as I have previously informed the Deputy, when passenger preclearance, which is already fully established at Shannon Airport, becomes operational at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport I will consider the possibility of approaching the U.S. Authorities about cargo preclearance.
Dáil Question
No: __192_____
*To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of the 23 March 2010, the position regarding discussions between his Department, the DAA and a group (details supplied) in relation to the development of a major international cargo hub at Shannon Airport; when will a decision issue from his Department in relation to this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Joe Carey.
* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 10th November, 2010.
Ref No: 42002/10
– Answered by the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, T.D.
REPLY
I understand that the Dublin Airport Authority is in active discussions with the Lynx group regarding this proposal and that meetings are taking place on an ongoing basis.
Dáil Question
No: ___190____
*To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the development of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Joe Carey.
* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 10th November, 2010.
Shannon Airport is the first airport in the world, outside of the Americas, to offer Full US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facilities to airlines travelling to the USA. What progress has been made with American Authorities to extend this facility to cater for Cargo preclearance
Ref No: 41847/10
– Answered by the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, T.D.
REPLY
The position with cargo preclearance is that the Ireland-U.S. Preclearance Agreement signed in November 2008, does not provide for the preclearance of cargo. However, as I have previously informed the Deputy, when passenger preclearance, which is already fully established at Shannon Airport, becomes operational at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport I will consider the possibility of approaching the U.S. Authorities about cargo preclearance.
Dáil Question
No: __192_____
*To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of the 23 March 2010, the position regarding discussions between his Department, the DAA and a group (details supplied) in relation to the development of a major international cargo hub at Shannon Airport; when will a decision issue from his Department in relation to this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Joe Carey.
* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 10th November, 2010.
Ref No: 42002/10
– Answered by the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, T.D.
REPLY
I understand that the Dublin Airport Authority is in active discussions with the Lynx group regarding this proposal and that meetings are taking place on an ongoing basis.