Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I always put it on the record when a chair-designate comes before us that I hate wasting his or her time because as a committee, we cannot say "No, the individual should not be employed." At the end of the day, it is a courtesy call really. That said, the engagement this afternoon has been really interesting.

My impression of Shannon Airport, the cohesiveness and dedication of the staff and the desire of the people we met on the ground down there to make this airport work and to challenge the 87% who are travelling east was remarkable. My experience of Shannon will live with me for a long time. I would happily sit into my car in July and drive to Shannon and fly from there to a holiday resort rather than face the bedlam I am going to have to face at Dublin Airport. It is a remarkable resource. I see Senator Buttimer looking at me and I am sure Cork Airport will prove to be equally as remarkable when we visit it.