Fiona O'Malley (Dún Laoghaire, Progressive Democrats)

The European Commission's ruling on Charleroi begs the question of whether there is coherence in EU policy. On the one hand, competition is a live and vibrant issue within the EU and the cornerstone of commercial viability. On the other is the all-important issue of subsidiarity. The recent judgment on Charleroi appears to place the two in conflict. Is there a lack of joined-up thinking on EU policy?

Subsidiarity came into our lexicon during the debate on the Amsterdam treaty when we became enthused by the notion that decisions would be made within the regions. I offer the arrangement made by the Walloon Government for Charleroi as the classic example of very good subsidiarity and working for a region. At the risk of offending any Walloons who may be listening, I offer a grim depiction of Charleroi before Ryanair's involvement with its airport: "Ryanair's arrival at Charleroi in 1997 and its decision to transform a small and disregarded airport into a European hub has proved a blessing for an industrial city hit by the gradual collapse of its traditional coal and steel activities."

This shows how bad things had got in the area. Local government there was required to solve a difficult situation on behalf of the people. It took the decision to enter into an agreement with Ryanair and has transformed the region. I am sure the Minister of State will agree that if one can get private enterprise to do local government's job one should let them at it, particularly if they are doing it successfully.

I offer the House a quote from a gentleman who moved to Charleroi after the collapse of Sabena in Brussels and who found a job in Charleroi airport after almost a year of unemployment: "Politicians keep producing new plans to create jobs but then they are punishing a company that has provided the lifeblood to Charleroi." These are the people for whom we need to see results.

What is the implication of the judgment? We need only look at our own airports and at regional development within Ireland to see what happens. Regional development has always been based on the fulcrum of accessibility, which is provided by the regional airports. If ever there was an example of how well regional development can be done, it is the involvement of Ryanair with the Walloon Government.

The Commission has ruled and we must look for a positive result of that ruling. The judgment may bring an element of clarity to the market figures for airport costs and the conditions which Ryanair have enjoyed in Charleroi may be endorsed by the Commissioner with responsibility for competition and provided to other operators.

Would any of us have heard of such numbers of people going through Charleroi ten years ago, prior to Ryanair's arrival? We would not because it was an area in decline. The effect of increasing air transport to that area has been phenomenal. The Minister may reflect on this when considering the future for Shannon and other regional airports.

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