BMW Latest News

BMW REGIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTS NEW CATHAOIRLEACH

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:57:57 +0100

Councillor Joe Flanagan from Moyvoughley, Moate, Co Westmeath has been elected unopposed as the new Cathaoirleach of the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly at their Annual General Meeting held on Friday 16th July, 2010 in Ballaghaderreen. Councillor Flanagan was first elected to Westmeath County Council in 1979 for the Kilbeggan electoral area and has represented this area since. Cllr. Flanagan was Chairperson of Westmeath County Council in 2006 and Chairman of the Midland Regional Authority in 2007. He has been a member of the BMW Regional Assembly since 1999 and the Midland Regional Authority since 1994. Cllr Aidan Boyle, Cavan County Council, was elected Leas Cathaoirleach. In accepting the position, Councillor Flanagan said that he was both honoured and privileged to be elected Cathaoirleach of the Assembly. He informed the meeting that in these challenging times there are many sectors struggling to cope with a dormant economy. Councillor Flanagan stressed the important roles played by the Regional Assembly as Managing Authority for the BMW Regional Operational Programme, in monitoring the impact of investment programmes on the region and in ensuring that National policies take Regional issues into account. Councillor Flanagan stated that it was his hope that by working collectively the Assembly members and staff can ensure that the BMW region gets its fair share of both government and EU resources and that its inhabitants enjoy improved quality of life. In conclusion, Cllr. Flanagan thanked the members for their unanimous support. He acknowledged the outgoing Cathaoirleach Andrew Boylan for the wonderful job he had done over the past year and for his chairing of meetings with firmness and fairness. He also thanked the outgoing Leas Cathaoirleach Councillor Owen Bannigan. Mr. Gerry Finn, Director of the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly, congratulated Councillor Flanagan on his appointment and stated that he looked forward to working with him over the coming year. He also paid tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Councillor Andrew Boylan for the effective way in which he discharged his duties over his term as Cathaoirleach and to Councillor Owen Bannigan who acted as Leas Cathaoirleach for the past year.

EU Official Praises Achievement of the Regional Assembly

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:02:32 +0100

The achievements of the BMW Regional Assembly were praised by Mr. Martin Territt, Director of the EU Commission representation in Dublin, at the launch of the Assembly’s Annual Report 2009 in Ballaghaderreen on Friday 16th July.

Mr Territt paid tribute to the Assembly, its members and its staff for the transformation that happened in the BMW Region over recent years thanks in part to a well-spent European Regional Development funds from the European Union. Mr Territt said that “the Regional Operational Programme for 2007 to 2013 will help to address many of the fundamental disadvantages that the BMW Region had faced historically and that the region is now much better placed to take advantage of the new opportunities than it was in the past”.

Mr. Territt stated that the Annual Report was a testament to the work of the Assembly, whose establishment had led to an empowerment of Ireland’s Regions.

Welcoming Mr Territt, Councillor Joe Flanagan, Chairperson of the Regional Assembly stated that the Annual Report 2009 details in a comprehensive manner the activities of the Assembly, the central function being to manage E.U. funded programmes and complemented the staff of the Assembly for the publication, which he said captures the tremendous work that the Assembly is engaged in. Cllr Flanagan also congratulated Mr Territt, who will be taking up new responsibilities in Brussels’, dealing with the management of the Commission’s Representation in all Member States and looked forward to working with his successor Ms. Barbara Nolan. Cllr Flanagan went on to say that the BMW Assembly was to the forefront in raising issues of importance for the Region and that the Assembly have lobbied Government on a wide range of economic and social development issues such as a stronger commitment to the provision of infrastructure, investment in strategic road corridors and extending broadband services.

Mr Gerry Finn, Director of the Regional Assembly outlined the activities that took place in 2009 such as the allocation of €17.15m for the Gateway and Hub Scheme, visit by Minister Gerry Kelly Northern Ireland Executive, completion of the Innovative Actions Programme, the BMW annual conference which dealt with a review of National Spatial Strategy, the Public Awareness Survey which assessed the knowledge of EU funds in the region, Opening of Athlone Galway Motorway and the Joint Assembly Meeting with an Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan T. D. Mr. Finn detailed the priorities for investment under the Regional Operational Programme 2007 – 2013 and also described the Assembly’s policy development activities and its role in relation to Interreg and Innovation programmes.

Download the 2009 Annual Report

Regional Assembly Welcomes Knock Business Park Initiative

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:48:37 +0100

The Border, Midland and Western Region has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Mr. Batt O’Keefe T.D. that a feasibility study will be undertaken by Shannon Development on the development of an Enterprise and Innovation Park at Ireland West Airport, Knock.

Mr. Gerry Finn, Director of the BMW Regional Assembly stated that, “the announcement of this study which has the objective of developing 300 jobs over a three year period, builds upon the findings of the BMW Regional Assembly’s recent policy report “Maximising the Economic Impact of Airports in the BMW Region” which recommended that the Government should seek to pro-actively develop the economic potential of airport business parks. The research paper developed in conjunction with the four airports in the BMW Region, Donegal, Galway, Sligo and Ireland West Airport Knock, argued that airports, when combined with neighbouring industrial, business or technology parks, can be a valuable stimulant to the economic development of a region – as demonstrated in the case of the Shannon Region.”

The Director added, “The Mayo area has proven that it can attract companies that are based on knowledge-intensive industries such as Baxter and Allergan, and the opportunities to attract foreign direct investment and indigenous companies are even greater when an airport is part of the combined package on offer. In the context of the recently announced review of the role of all of Ireland’s airports by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and our own analysis of airports as regional economic engines, we look forward to co-operating with the Minister, Shannon Development and Ireland West Airport Knock, on this important feasibility study”.

Finally, Mr. Finn stated that the proposed Enterprise and Innovation Park at Ireland West Airport Knock, drawing upon the expertise of Shannon Development, “reinforces the concept of the Atlantic Gateway – with linked nodes of growth centres providing a favourable environment for the development of growth-oriented economic sectors and restoring the region to sustainable economic development and employment creation”.

BMW Regional Assembly Presents Airports Report to Minister Dempsey

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:31:13 +0100

The Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly presented a report to the Minister of Transport Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D. at a meeting between the Assembly, management of Donegal, Galway, Ireland West Knock and Sligo Airports and the Minister in Trim, Co. Meath on Friday May 23rd. The report titled ‘Maximising the Economic Impact of Airports in the BMW Region’ is the first report of its kind to examine the multi-faceted collective contribution of the airports in the BMW Region to the regional economy.
The report which was prepared in co-operation with the four airports in the Region, highlights their impact and importance in terms of business investment, tourism, access to markets and quality of life for the Region. An economic impact assessment found that these four airports in 2008 were responsible for 378 jobs (direct and indirect), generated over €14m in direct added value to the economy, while inbound visitors spent an estimated €93m in the Region.
The report calls for a more coherent national aviation policy taking due consideration of the role of non-state Airports in policy and investment decisions. The report illustrates the distinctive role played by each individual airport, recommends the preparation of an economic and tourism development plan for each airport and highlights the potential for the development of airport business parks targeted at air-intensive industries.
The value of the daily links to Dublin Airport, supported by the Public Service Obligation (PSO) subsidy, in particular to business customers, is also highlighted. Dublin Airport is the primary international transport hub for business travellers and direct daily links are of enormous benefit and should be retained. The largest beneficiary of the PSO support is the broad regional economy and not necessarily the airports or regional airlines. The report also illustrates the economic benefits in terms of the value of time saved for business passengers on PSO routes to and from the Region. When all of the benefits are taken into account, the report concludes that the cost to the exchequer of maintaining the PSO subsidy is more than justified.
The report was welcomed by Minister Dempsey as providing a timely input into the Value for Money Review currently being undertaken by the Department of Transport into public expenditure on regional air services, including capital investment and Public Service Obligation (PSO) supported routes. He commended the Regional Assembly for undertaking this important body of research and committed to taking into consideration the arguments put forward by the paper. In particular the Minister agreed to reflect the report’s wide-ranging multi-criteria approach to examining the value of airports in his Department’s Value for Money Review exercise.
Following the meeting, Mr. Gerry Finn, Director of the BMW Regional Assembly stated that, “this meeting provided an opportunity to highlight to the Minister for Transport a strong body of evidence in favour of the further development of the Airports in the BMW Region. The response from the Minister was very positive to our report and we look forward to working with the Minister, his officials and the respective airports in the Region on this issue”.
Mr. Finn concluded, “the findings of the analysis undertaken confirms that continued investment is justified in order to build the competitiveness of the BMW Region in terms of its connectivity to major growth hubs and markets, its attractiveness for inward investment and the capacity of the airports to bring new business to the Region’s tourism industry”.

Download The Airports Report

Assemblies Call on Transport Minister to Maintain Investment

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:44:54 +0100

Minister for Transport, Mr Noel Dempsey addressed the Annual Joint Meeting of the Border, Midland and Western and the Southern and Eastern Regional Assemblies which took place in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co. Meath on 23rd April.  In his opening address, Councillor Kevin Murphy, Chairman of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly, called on the Government to maintain and continue to prioritise investment in Ireland’s transportation infrastructure as a means of protecting our international competitiveness. Councillor Murphy also urged the Minister to continue to promote a greater utilisation and development of a linked and efficient public transport network.  The Chairman also stressed the importance of protecting the capital envelope to ensure that the State continues to invest heavily in transport infrastructure in the years ahead. He emphasised the importance the Regional Assemblies place on transport infrastructure by highlighting that it has been included as a co-funded activity under both Regional Operational Programmes over the 2007-13 period, in accordance with regional, national and EU investment priorities.  Councillor Kevin Murphy outlined that for many parts of the regions, far from the rail network, roads represent the only viable mode of transport, and it is essential that the past level of investment in both the national and strategic non-national roads is maintained. He added that with the imminent completion of the major inter-urban routes, the focus of the road building programme now needs to shift to important inter-Gateway routes, such as the Atlantic Road Corridor.  The Chairman said that two Regional Assemblies strongly support the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor and welcome the recent opening of the first phase between Limerick and Galway. However he expressed disappointment at the recent announcement by Irish Rail that it intends to cease passenger services between Rosslare and Waterford.  Addressing the Assembly Members, Minister Dempsey referred to the harsh economic reality, but stated that the Government is committed to a strong sustainable transport system. He highlighted that over €2.1bn has been committed by his Department in 2010 to continue the State’s transport investment programme. The Minister stated that following the completion of the major inter-urban routes in 2010, the priority would shift to the Atlantic Road Corridor to better link the Atlantic Gateway cities. He stated that the completion of this Corridor was hugely important for regional development.  The Minister acknowledged the critical role that regional airports play in stimulating business development and improving connectivity to Ireland’s regions. The Minister concluded by highlighting the contribution played by local authorities in promoting sustainable transport.  Councillor Andrew Boylan, Chairman of the BMW Regional Assembly thanked Minster Dempsey on behalf of both Assemblies for his attendance at the joint meeting. He supported the sentiments of the Chairman of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly and added that in the BMW Region in particular, good transport connections are vitally important for businesses to operate efficiently, to enable people to access employment and to attract tourists to the region. Councillor Boylan stressed that the BMW region has a particularly weak rail infrastructure.   The Director’s of the Regional Assemblies welcomed the Ministers commitment to continue the investment in the transport system over coming years and its important contribution to balanced regional development.