23 August 2011
The Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce has expressed its deep shock and disappointment following today’s announcement that Ryanair is to end its Dublin – Kerry route from September 7th.
Ryanair’s termination of the daily Dublin service from Kerry Airport will have a significant impact on the tourism and business in Killarney and throughout the Kerry region, according to Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce President Tom Randles. Despite recent road infrastructure improvements which have been greatly welcomed, the journey between Dublin and Kerry is 200 miles and can still take up to four hours each way, which is a major deterrent for visitors.
"The fact remains that we need an air link to the capital in order to sustain business and tourism in the region” said Mr. Randles. "As a town and certainly as a county we have invested substantial capital in enhancing the region’s tourism and business potential in recent years, but without fast, convenient access, this will severely damage our efforts and impact negatively on the two major industries on which this county depends”.
He continued “We call on the Government to act quickly to implement an alternative air link following Ryanair’s termination of the route and we look forward to supporting the long –awaited new PSO operator into Dublin Airport". The Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also called on Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Mr. Leo Varadkar to provide an update on the tender evaluation process with regards to the new PSO contract and to confirm a date when the new PSO service will begin.
I’m not sure who the first person was to coin that phrase about Simon Harris our new Taoiseach but it certainly is “stuck” onto him now. When the phrase is used do you think it is me...