Environmental sustainability plan eyed for for Shannon Group amid tough outlook

The programme is expected to be delivered over a three-year period, but comes at a time when the group is facing significant challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The semi-State company, whose chief executive is Mary Considine, has sought experts to draft the sustainability blueprint to provide advice and guidance to the Shannon Group sustainability team "in respect of producing a sustainability plan strategically tailored to the Shannon Group's needs", it said in a request for tender document.

The foundations of the programme will require extensive input from more than 60 stakeholders, the Shannon Group noted.

The company said it's expected that the consultancy service will initially be employed to produce a detailed engagement plan that will include internal and external stakeholders.

Shannon Group said a second stage of the sustainability engagement might extend to a "wide range of services", including regulatory compliance, workshop preparation, identification and assistance with key sustainability drivers and challenges as well as action plans.

Apart from Shannon Airport and its operation of tourist attractions, Shannon Group also has significant property interests and an aviation services division.

The tourist attractions it manages include Bunratty Castle in Co Clare and King John's Castle in Co Limerick. In Dublin, it manages the GPO Witness History exhibit, as well as Malahide Castle and Newbridge House and Farm.

The head of Shannon Heritage, Niall O'Callaghan, recently announced his departure from the position, while last week, the managing director of Shannon Airport, Andrew Murphy, left to work elsewhere in the aviation sector.

On Tuesday, Shannon Airport unions rejected plans by management to slash pay for workers by 20pc and introduce a number of other cost- saving measures as the gateway struggles with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

While flights have resumed at the airport, it is facing a stark future until passenger traffic recovers. It handled 1.7 million passengers last year.

"The announcement by management at Shannon Airport that it intends to cut members' pay by up to 20pc is completely unacceptable and any unilateral pay cuts will be strongly resisted," said Siptu sector organiser Neil McGowan.