Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I have set out as openly as I can, in the context of a parliamentary question, the facts surrounding Heathrow slots. Both Deputy Mitchell and I agree that Heathrow slots are crucial. Any major strategic holding the State would have in Aer Lingus would be very significant in dictating some of the strategic issues. Any company would want to maintain the slots. At a European level, an attempt is being made to develop a regulatory framework to deal with this issue. The Department and I have been closely involved in these discussions but they have not resulted in a definitive mechanism for creating a market for slots at Heathrow.

I agree that the other hubs of Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt have experienced significant growth and they will continue to grow. Aer Lingus is beginning to take more advantage of these hubs in terms of route selection. Dublin Airport has an opportunity to become a hub of some significance. I believe this because the airport is well placed in terms of its strategic location for long-haul and short-haul flights. If people with views on the general debate on Aer Lingus would think outside the box, they would see a different picture. There is enormous growth from Ireland into the United States and Aer Lingus is in a position to take advantage of that. Opportunities also exist to expand into eastern markets.

See this speech in context