Press Statement
Kieran O’Donnell TD
Tuesday 28th September 2021
O’Donnell welcomes appointment of Pádraig Ó Céidigh as new Chairperson of the Board of Shannon Group plc
Limerick City Fine Gael TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee, Kieran O’Donnell has today warmly welcomed the appointment of Pádraig Ó Céidigh as the new Chairperson of Shannon Group plc.
“I warmly welcome the announcement that Pádraig Ó Céidigh has been appointed as the new Chairperson of Shannon Group plc.
“Mr Ó Céidigh has a proven track record in business and more particularly in aviation, which has to be the key focus for the Shannon Group. Furthermore, being from the Western seaboard gives him a keen understanding of the environment in which Shannon Airport operates.
In this new role of chair of the Shannon Group, Mr Ó Céidigh will bring his vast entrepreneurial experience and practical in-depth of knowledge of aviation in what is a very challenging time for Shannon Airport as it emerges from the heavy impact of the Covid pandemic.
“I look forward to working with Pádraig in his new role as Chair to ensure that Shannon Group and in particular, Shannon Airport, can rebuild, enhancing the Heathrow route, re-start its key strategics routes to the US and to maximise its potential in terms of balanced regional development along the Atlantic economic corridor.
Furthermore, I look forward to Mr. O’ Céidigh appearing before our Oireachtas Transport & Communications committee to outline his strategic plans for the Shannon Group and more specifically Shannon Airport.
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Minister Ryan announces appointment of new Chairperson of the Board of Shannon Group plc
The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, T.D., today announced his intention to appoint Mr. Pádraig Ó Céidigh as Chairperson of Shannon Group plc. Mr. Ó Céidigh is expected to formally take up the three-year appointment following his appearance before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications.
Minister Ryan highlighted the extensive experience and sectoral knowledge Mr. Ó Céidigh will bring to this important role, at what is a challenging time for Shannon Group and the aviation sector. “I am pleased that Pádraig Ó Céidigh will be the new Chairperson of Shannon Group plc. Pádraig brings a wealth of experience from the aviation sector, as an entrepreneur and as a board member, and I am confident that he will be a good fit in this role with Shannon Group. I wish him every success as he takes on the challenge of leading the company out of the pandemic towards a brighter future.”
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton added “I believe that Pádraig is well qualified for this position and will play a critical role in leading the Board and the Group as the aviation sector begins to recover. It is important for all stakeholders that Shannon Group is in the best position possible to continue on its path of recovery, given the importance of the Company to the mid-west region and indeed nationally. I know that Pádraig will bring exceptional skills, knowledge and drive to this new role and I look forward to working closely with him”.
Additional information:
The Minister’s intention to appoint Mr. Ó Céidigh was noted by Government at its meeting this morning.
Mr. Pádraig Ó Céidigh has extensive knowledge and experience in the aviation sector and has a strong track record at senior levels in both the public and private sectors. He has held senior management positions including Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Aer Arann for some 26 years and served in Seanad Éireann from 2016-2020. Mr. Ó Céidigh holds qualifications from the University College Galway, Harvard University, and the Law Society of Ireland and has previous board experience with Fáilte Ireland, RTÉ and An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
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