Author Archives: John
Major investment in Shannon Foynes Port Company to boost local economy – O’Donovan
Added February 16th, 2015
“Having worked with CPL, the private investor who is contributing €22 million of the €38 million to the Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC), I realise the hard work and dedication that went into bringing this deal to life”, says Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael TD for Limerick.
“The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, today (Monday) visited Foynes to announce the investment of €38 million by the Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC), Ireland’s largest bulk port company
“The first major project is the infilling of the East Jetty in Foynes; a 12 month project employing up to 150 people during construction. The redevelopment of the east jetty involves the reclamation of 13,500ms of foreshore and the demolition of the existing jetty. This will provide increased operational area of activity and lead to improved bulk discharge times. It is estimated that a total of €12 million will be spent by SFPC on this project in 2015.
“CPL will also invest €22 million to construct a new smokeless fuel depot to meet the expected increase in future demand for smokeless fuels. Another private operator, Argosea, will also invest €4 million in the construction of a 1,400sqm warehouse for the storage of animal feeds to take advantage of the expected increased demand for animal feed, when milk quotas come to an end in March.
“The Shannon Foynes Port Company plan to double their trade over the next three decades and today’s announcements mark a major step in that direction.
“The SFPC is a hugely valuable employer to the west Limerick area. I warmly welcome the news of such major investment which will provide new opportunities to people in the local area.”
Walsh gives guarantee to Shannon after O’Donovan questioning
Added February 16th, 2015
Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan, the only Limerick member of the Dáil Transport Committee, last week questioned IAG Chief Executive Office Willie Walsh on their proposal to buy Aer Lingus. Patrick O’Donovan asked Willie Walsh about the future of the Shannon-Heathrow routes and he referred to the importance of the slots to the Mid-West Region. Replying to Patrick O’Donovan’s questions, Willie Walsh gave a specific commitment and guarantee to Shannon and Cork which had not been given up to then.
Speaking after the meeting, Patrick O’Donovan said that the meeting was very worthwhile. “Willie Walsh has provided us with detail on his plans for Aer Lingus and how he believes it can fit into IAG. I was glad that when he answered me that he gave specific guarantees to Shannon and Cork, however I would like to see these guarantees for longer than what’s currently on the table.”
The Limerick TD also said that he believes further issues still remain to be clarified. He added that this was not a straightforward issue, because there are substantial parts of the airline in the hands of other owners including Ryanair.
“It is clear that under the current ownership structure there is no protection for Shannon. We know from when the first 75% of the airline was sold that Heathrow slots can be moved so of there are guarantees that can be given we need to examine them closely.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that he made groups from across the Mid West in the last number of weeks as part of his role on the Transport Committee. “The concerns are very clear. Shannon has just begun to turn the corner in the last few months after years of neglect. The decision by this Government to give Shannon independence after years of being ignored is working and we want it to improve further. This turnaround has helped tourism and business contacts and it is vital we maintain it and build on it. That’s why I feel time needs to be taken here so that all the options can be weighed up.”
It is expected that the Transport Committee will have further meetings with groups and individuals who have an opinion on the sale of Aer Lingus in the coming weeks.
My week in the Dáil – 15th February
Added February 16th, 2015
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O’Donovan welcomes funding for Shanagolden
Added February 13th, 2015
Limerick Fine Gael TD, Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the confirmation that he has received from Simon Harris TD, Minister for the Office of Public Works that he has allocated €45,000 towards the costs of works to help prevent flooding in Shanagolden.
The funding is being made available through the Office of Public Works Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. The money is being provided to Limerick City and County Council who will carry out the work.
O’Donovan & Keary meet LCETB on Croom school
Added February 10th, 2015
Fine Gael representatives Patrick O’Donovan TD and Councillor Stephen Keary held what they said was a very constructive meeting on Friday last with officials of the Limerick Clare Education Training Board in relation to the proposed new second level school in Croom.
The two local representatives requested the meeting in order to receive a full update from the Education and Training Board on the progress being made in delivering the badly needed school for Croom. After the meeting both Patrick O’Donovan and Stephen Keary said that they were satisfied that the ETB officials have a clear strategy in place which it is expected will deliver a successful resolution to the issue.
Deputy O’Donovan said he was glad to have had the opportunity to discuss the issues which gave rise to the An Bord Pleannála decision to refuse the building of the school. He said that it was important to point out that the Department of Education and Skills were fully supportive of the project.
Cllr. Stephen Keary said that the project in Croom would see a state of the art school big enough for 1000 students being constructed in the town. This he said would be a major stimulus to the area in terms of the construction project and fit out and he was anxious to see the school progressed for the students attending the existing Coláiste Chiaráin.
Both Patrick O’Donovan and Stephen Keary committed themselves to helping to deliver the project. It is understood that work is continuing within the ETB on the matter.
My week in the Dáil – 8th February
Added February 9th, 2015
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The rest of my updates can be found on my website under the My week in the Dáil section
Minister accepts O’Donovan proposal to amend Roads Bill
Added February 5th, 2015
Limerick Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan has got the agreement of the Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe to amend the Roads Bill 2014. Patrick O’Donovan looked for an amendment that would allow the National Roads Authority to carry out pre-planning consultations with An Bord Pleanála before making applications for planning permission to construct new roads.
“I’m glad that the Minister has accepted my proposal. I met with officials of the NRA, Limerick County Council and the Department of Transport after the decision was made by An Bord Pleanála to reject the proposed Adare bypass. One of the issues raised was that the NRA was not allowed to have a pre-planning meeting with the Bord as part of the route selection and design of the route. I found this bizarre and said at the time that most people building houses or extensions have pre-planning meetings, and yet we have a situation where major road projects can’t follow the same process.”
Patrick O’Donovan raised the issue several times in the Dáil with the Taoiseach and the previous Minister Leo Varadkar. He said that that the Bill would be of major importance to advancing the Adare bypass and other projects because now as a result of the change he looked for there will be a clear planning process.
“There was no point in starting another route selection process for Adare with this issue unresolved. It could have meant that millions more would be wasted after an incomplete process and we would continue to be left with no route. Under my proposal which I’m delighted that the Minister has accepted, Councils and the NRA will be able to trash out issues before costly applications are made. It might sound like an obvious thing to do, but without this change these discussions could not take place.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that he hoped that the Bill would go through the Dáil and Seanad quickly because he said he was anxious to see a route selection and planning process restarted for Adare. “I don’t have a particular preference for any route, what I want and what the people of Adare and surrounding areas want is to see the project advanced. My proposal which the Minister is including in the Bill help considerably in this work”
€17,377,336 million for regional and local roads in Limerick – O’Donovan
Added February 3rd, 2015
Patrick O’Donovan TD has welcomed news from Minister Paschal Donohoe of an allocation of €17,377,336 to Limerick City and County Council for roads in 2015. The allocation includes €15,626,380 for improvement works and € 1,750,956 for maintenance works.
Patrick O’Donovan welcomed the news and said that the allocation comes shortly after the announcement by the Minister that over €3.5million is to be invested by Government in Barnagh to complete the road widening and realigning work there, together with a further €800,000 for Dromkeen on the Limerick to Tipperary road for traffic calming.
Under the 2015 Bridge Rehabilitation Works on Regional and Local Roads, works will be carried out in Ashgrove, Old Mill, Ballyegna, Ardagh, Duncaha Bridge in Shanagolden, Gortnakistin in Doon and in Nantinan, Rathkeale.
Works have also been earmarked to be carried out in Graigeen, Askeaton and in Lisamoate, Ballingarry under the Improvement Works Programme on Regional and Local Roads for 2015.
“As the economic recovery takes hold the Government is in a stronger position to invest in our infrastructure. In a rural county like Limerick, it is vital that we maintain a safe and good road network. This investment from the Minister is critical to that and I know will be very welcome in the communities across Limerick that will see improvements on their road network.”
“I will continue to use my membership of Dáil Éireann to ensure that the maximum amount of road funding possible for is directed to County Limerick. Through my membership of the Oireachtas Transport Committee and in my regular meetings with the Minister for Transport I will continue to remind the Minister of the road projects in County Limerick that I want to see prioritised.”
My week in the Dáil – 1st February
Added February 3rd, 2015
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The rest of my updates can be found on my website under the My week in the Dáil section
O’Donovan to meet Council and NRA over safety concerns in Bolane
Added January 27th, 2015
Fine Gael TD Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed a commitment he has received from the National Roads Authority that they are considering the possibility of carrying out improvement works to the west of Kildimo at Bolane.
Patrick O’Donovan said he was told that the Council have been asked by the NRA to carry put planning and design work before funding can be applied for.
“I have been contacted by people who use the N69 on a regular basis who are concerned about the condition of the road and the dangerous nature of this particular stretch at Bolane. I know that the NRA at in the process of doing an overall study for the N69 to see how best to improved connections between Foynes and the rest of the national road network. I know from discussions that I have had with the NRA that they expect to go to the next stage of the process this Spring.”
Patrick O’Donovan said that he has requested a meeting with the Council and the regional office of the National Roads Authority to discuss the issue at Bolane and the wider safety concerns on the N69 and that he hoped that this would take place shortly.