Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Mr. Thompstone and appreciate all his work in this regard. The reason it is important for someone like Mr. Thompstone to appear before the joint committee is he is uniquely qualified, in that he has an interest in the region and previously acted as the chief executive officer of Shannon Development. Consequently, members would be wise to take his counsel on the issues he has raised. One recommendation, which I support strongly, is that in future, the appointment of the board might have an ex officio position set aside for the chambers of commerce in general or that at least they might be in a position to nominate a panel from which the Government or Minister of the day might select someone. This would be of huge importance and the strength of retaining the airport in its hinterland and environment in a co-operative way will be the key to the success towards which Mr. Pakey is striving. I note there are considerable parallels between the comments of Mr. Thompstone and Mr. Pakey, which is helpful and useful.