Working group to be established to develop sustainable cruising on the Shannon Estuary

A WORKING group is to be established to develop sustainable cruising on the Shannon Estuary.

This has been revealed following the release of the first report of the Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce.

Chaired by former Johnson and Johnson boss Barry O'Sullivan, the group was set up earlier this year in a bid to find ways to exploit the economic potential of the estuary area.

They were asked to produce an initial report within six months of their convening.

And they have done just this, with various State agencies accepting a number of recommendations they have made.

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Among these is the setting up of another taskforce to look at sustainable cruising in Foynes on the Limerick side of the estuary.

This follows a Fáilte Ireland assessment of the feasibility and value of this activity.

A feasibility study for a national logistics hub at some point along the Shannon Estuary - which covers Clare, Limerick and Kerry - has also been mooted.

And Irish Rail has made a commitment to assess the case for passenger rail services on the Limerick to Foynes rail line.

This will help facilitate tourism and cruise ship related to demand.

However, a recommendation by the group that a new conference and events centre be delivered along the estuary has been dismissed by Fáilte Ireland, which has said there may not be a business case at present.

Almost 90 actions have been put in place by the group in its interim report.

Government says its committed to assessing the potential for accelerating the development of a West Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan and examining the cost and viability of initiating floating offshore wind projects in this as Ireland seeks to support the development of this sector.

Taskforce chair Mr O'Sullivan has urged more "ambition and speed" in relation to offshore wind from government.

"This includes developing port infrastructure, expediting planning procedures and providing for a West Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan. In that respect, I warmly welcome Government’s commitment to assess the potential for accelerating the development of this. I look forward to tangible progress being made in forthcoming progress reports," he said.