Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It has been stated that the approximate job losses projected for Dublin Airport is 1,200, based on the experience of the takeover of Iberia airlines. Are there any projected figures for job losses at Shannon and Cork airports in the event that the takeover bid is successful?

There will be a massive deficiency in connectivity to the regions which will have resultant adverse effects on retaining the jobs created by foreign investment in this country and also attracting much-needed jobs to rural regions in particular, if the takeover proceeds. Up to 70,000 people are employed by foreign companies and the takeover will have a negative effect on their future planning for business and the success of their business in Ireland.

The 23 slots at Heathrow Airport are worth an estimated €400 million, it seems, and are a sizeable part of the €1.3 billion proposed bid. Any loss of this sum will have huge implications for the Irish economy. What are the implications for the regional airports such as Cork Airport and Shannon Airport regarding the loss of the slots? Will the sale have a knock-on effect on the smaller regional airports such as Kerry Airport, where I come from? Its success is essential for the peripheral counties, particularly in terms of the tourism product and business relationships, and for attracting more business to the county as well. Have the witnesses looked at the situation? Will the sale have a huge knock-on adverse effect on regional airports such as Knock Airport, Donegal, etc.?