Mr. Conor Healy:

Regarding Deputy Dooley's point, I do not think we are at the stage of choosing between a sale or no sale. To clarify, the perspective of the Cork Chamber of Commerce is that there is an absence of clarity here and a lack of information. That said, without ring-fenced, clear, legally binding guarantees as to the future of those Heathrow slots, no sale is the correct response. We are not in that position yet and the whole process is only a number of days old. Everyone in the debate needs clarity on the current legal position. If it is not possible to have legal guarantees, then no sale should take place.

We must look at this from the perspective of economic activity in the Cork region. We are particularly concerned that Cork Airport is more vulnerable than the other airports in the context of this debate. I agree that there is potential for growth and that hubbing could bring economic advantages to Ireland. Such advantages would primarily accrue to Dublin Airport, however, which is absolutely fine as long as it is not at the expense of activity and economic development at Cork Airport.

Regarding Aer Lingus and its activities in Cork, the airline accounts for 45% of all traffic through the airport. In the earlier debate, Stobart Air was mentioned, as was the Aer Lingus regional connection. That accounts for an additional 13% of traffic at Cork Airport. Therefore, combined, the Aer Lingus family accounts for 58% of all traffic at Cork Airport. Anything that would threaten in any way Aer Lingus' future commitment, activity and ambition to grow out of Cork Airport is something that we could not support.