Dr. Pat Ivory:

The Chairman put his finger on the issue in saying it is a commercial decision. I am aware Aer Lingus tried to run direct flights to the west coast, but stopped due to the fact the route was financially unviable. Obviously, many IBEC companies have investments in the United States. Some indigenous Irish companies have invested in the United States and their executives need to fly back and forth, as do those from many American parent companies here. Improved air services would be welcomed by Irish businesses and our members. The DAA, particularly now it has its new facilities and terminal 2, has been working with new airlines and has announced new flights involving American Airways, United Airlines and others.

They outlined some of those new flights to us yesterday at the transport council. They are actively looking for solutions to this challenge. As Mr. Whelan said, if Turkish Airlines or Emirates which now has a large presence in Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport can develop a route with transfers to the west coast, we will certainly support it.