Mr. Joe Gilmore:

I am aware of time, so I will be brief. In terms of France and Benelux, we previously had routes to Paris Beauvais and Eindhoven a number of years ago. Unfortunately, they did not work after the initial short period that they ran. It re-emphasised the need for some type of initial route support scheme over the first two to three years. The reality is that generally routes do not work in the first 12 months, and they lose money. They start to make money in years 2 and 3 and then become sustainable. For example, we have had a Cologne service for the last three to four years and we have had a Milan service for the last ten years. They were very marginal for the first two or three years. To the credit of the airlines, they stuck with them. It is about getting new routes over that initial hump. We are competing with 400 airports across Europe for services.

In terms of transportation, we are a rural airport. We rely heavily on public transport and in fairness, Bus Éireann does provide good services. However, we are seeking to increase frequency there. We need more sustainable transport, as all the regional airports do, moving into the medium term. We are taking some light from the soundings we are hearing from the strategic rail review. We would be an advocate of rail travel. We would love to see the western rail corridor open up all the way to Claremorris and Sligo, with a spur going into the airport. We do not think that is crazy. I lived in the Netherlands for a number of years in the 1990s. I am of the view that if we build it, they will come. We have to put in the infrastructure along the western corridor, the Wild Atlantic Way and the Atlantic economic corridor to rebalance development. The Government has to be brave and put in the infrastructure and invest. If it does, people will repopulate the regions. People and companies will have confidence to relocate. That is my view.