O’Malley’s move is a ‘threat to politics’

August 1990

TWO projects for the Kerry side of the Shannon Estuary are threatened by PD Minister Des O’Malley’s switch of responsibility for overseas industrial promotion from Shannon Development to the IDA, according to Fianna Fail backbencher, Tom McEllistrim.

The question of where the power for the allocation of the 600-acre land bank will now lie is at the heart of Deputy McEllistrim’s concern.

He disclosed that Shannon Development had already allocated 100 acres to a North Kerry entrepreneur for six months with a view to seeking planning permission for a harbour and jetty outside Ballylongford.

A second application had been made by a group who proposed to set up a fish farm in Ballylongford Bay.

Deputy McEllistrim, said the group had met with Shannon Development’s Chief executive, Tom Dunne a month ago seeking 30 acres of the land bank.

While he acknowleged that Shannon Development would still have responsibility for indigenous industry, Deputy McEllistrim said he was worried about the land.

He asked with which agency responsibility for its development would now rest.

“Who will be responsible for the allocation of land?” he asked. “I’m worried about what will happen now.”

“I was very disappointed when I heard the announcement that Shannon Development would not be our agency for heavy industry any longer,” he said.