Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is grand. The next question is definitely within the NTA's remit. It relates to bus transport. Dublin Airport is in discourse because of the passenger cap, all the constraints it has trying to get people in and out of Ireland, and the cap on flights. There was an announcement yesterday about trying to incentivise airlines to move flights to Cork. We feel disadvantaged in Clare because the public bus services to Cork Airport and Dublin Airport are far superior to those that serve Shannon. The 51 route starts from Cork, stops at Mallow, Ballyhay, Charleville, Limerick, Clarecastle, Ennis, Crusheen, and others. There are about 14 stops on that route and then Shannon Airport. If you are in Cork, the current format is a very unattractive service to Shannon Airport. There is no express. This is very much the stagecoach that stops at every village on the way.

In contrast, the 51X service is a service from Limerick city, stopping in Shannon Airport and then to Galway. The service from Limerick to Shannon and Galway is far superior. We are lacking Cork connectivity. If we are to have a counterbalance in aviation in Ireland, we certainly need an improved bus service. At the moment, the Dublin Airport position of dominance is close to 90% of the market. Aviation is a whole different realm, of course, but certainly the transport links could be improved, and Shannon is the poor relation. It galls me when I see an express service to Dublin Airport parked in Bunratty, which is only 4 km from Shannon Airport. It seems incongruent with where services should be.