Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

It is a great compliment to the new board, management, staff and unions in Shannon that it is happening.

A delicate balance must be struck. Deputy Olivia Mitchell is right about an immediate open skies policy with America and the major benefits which would accrue. However, we are trying to manage a transition for Shannon. I think with an EU-US open skies deal that one will see quick, incremental growth in a short number of years. I want to marry that incremental, natural growth on both sides with the transition. If an open skies policy were to be in place from tomorrow, I do not think one would necessarily see immediate change, rather it would be incremental.

However, we must position Ireland and Aer Lingus to ensure they have the opportunity to win many of those new routes for the benefit of Shannon, Cork and Dublin. The opportunities are immense. The focus should be on maximising the opportunity of open skies.

What is forgotten in this debate is that 15 of the 25 EU member states already have open skies with America and are well ahead of us.

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