In a letter addressed to a City Hall executive, Mr OโConnell said:
โIt was only a short few hours before the start time of the meeting that my dilemma became apparent, at which time, it was too short notice to arrange a stand-inโ.
In his letter, Mr OโConnell, who said he had notes prepared in readiness to address the meeting, added:
โCircumstances just did not allow the time to nominate a replacement and fully brief them on my presentation but notwithstanding that, I have now completed my two year appointment as chairman of the Shannon Airport Authority and at a future date, I would be happy to meet with your members, should this prove convenientโ.
At the arranged meeting on Monday, November 28, councillors voiced their โacute disappointmentโ that Mr OโConnell, as chairman of the SAA, was not present to answer specific questions regarding the problems associated with the airportโs future role in the Mid West region.
โIt seems to be a policy of the SAA not to engage with us but if its chairman canโt answer our questions about the airportโs future, someone else from the SAA should – there is a very strong argument for separation of the SAA from the DAA and I welcome the comments of Shannon Developmentโs CEO, Dr Vincent Cunnane that this could be achieved through the establishment of a new regional development body,โ commented, Cllr Diarmuid Scully.
The meeting, which was held in the council chamber of City Hall, was addressed by Dr Cunnane.