Ms Gina Quin:

I wish to respond to some of the issues raised by Deputy Dooley. I cannot be categoric about the difference between Star Alliance and One World but I know that the IAG group is very significant in terms of flight numbers and connectivity worldwide, through both British Airways and Iberia and other sub-groups within the group. My sense is that One World can bring just as much to Aer Lingus as the other alliances. However, I do not have facts on that.

I would see a real opportunity here for Ireland to be a key transfer hub. We must remember that the geography of Ireland is unique, located as we are on the western edge of Europe, heading towards the Americas - South and North. There is a significant opportunity to exploit that further.