Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Scollan and Mr. Gilmore. Deputy O'Donovan, who has now left, spoke about Shannon. The witnesses have explained all the engagement they have had with the Department. While I understand why something needs to be done for Shannon from the point of view of its importance for the mid-west region, there is no policy for airports nationally. The witnesses have been advised that now that Shannon is sorted, they should sort things out with Shannon themselves.

The Government is responsible for the control of aviation and aviation policy. Aviation is crucial given that we are in a global village. We feel it even more in a peripheral area such as the north west. We need recognition of the strategic importance of Knock. It is incredible that what is being proposed is the continued nursing of State-run airports that are losing money hand over fist. They should be benchmarked against an airport such as Knock for efficiencies and how to do business. There needs to be a reality check. Knock is of no greater or less importance to the west and mid-west region because it is a trust for the people rather than being owned by the State. Everything must flow from that. My beef is-----